In 26.2 hours, UF students raised $422,557.77, beating their expected goal by more than $160,000.
On Wednesday, students completed the first fundraising push for the 2017 Dance Marathon at UF for families and children at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. At 8 a.m. Tuesday, they began handing out fliers. They didn’t stop until 10:12 a.m. Wednesday as part of the fundraiser, Transform Tuesday. The goal was to raise $262,000 in 26.2 hours.
Claire Daniel, the public relations overall director for the organization, said the amount raised is proof students can accomplish anything when they work together.
“It was not expected, but it means so much to those involved in Dance Marathon,” the 21-year-old UF public relations senior said.
Every cent goes to the Children’s Miracle Network, and the money raised is a reflection of the work students do for the kids, she said.
“We think of them; it goes to them,” she said.
Grace Caswell, 22, raised more than $4,000 during the one-day fundraiser. She hopes to raise $12,000 more before the Spring event.
“I’m hoping to raise $20,000 this year,” the Dance Marathon internal overall director said, adding that if she does, she’ll have raised $50,000 throughout her time at UF.
“It’s much more than just fundraising,” the UF health education and behavior senior said. “It’s impacting all the miracle families that I’ve gotten to know in the past four years.”
