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State A Thon, �ձ�av��Ƶ’s Dance Marathon program that supports Children’s Miracle Network, has been awarded $5,000 from SCHEELS of Sioux Falls. 

State A Thon was selected as part of SCHEELS’ 2024 Giving Campaign, in which 10 area nonprofits were awarded $5,000 apiece, based on 11,000 online votes. The voting period was from Nov. 21-Dec. 1. 

Miracle Network Dance Marathon is an international movement involving over 400 colleges, universities and K-12 schools across the United States and Canada that fundraise for their local member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. 

State A Thon, the largest student-run organization on the �ձ�av��Ƶ campus, raises its own operational costs, about $10,000 to $11,000 per year. The SCHEELS donation can be used to cover a big chunk of those so more fundraised dollars can ultimately be donated to benefit Children’s Miracle Network children and their families at Sanford Children’s Castle of Care Hospital in Sioux Falls to help with expenses such as hotel stays, meals, gas, specialists, games, medical equipment and more. 

�ձ�av��Ƶ’s State A Thon is a year-round fundraiser with a variety of activities that culminate each spring with its dance marathon. 

“State A Thon is a unique organization in that it is philanthropic, so the students really don’t hide the fact that they have to fundraise their operational costs, but they really do try to make sure that as many of the dollars they bring in as possible go directly to CMN,” Cara Olson, assistant director for student activities at �ձ�av��Ƶ, said. “They’re always looking for ways to bring in more money. Some of their fundraisers are to help with overhead, but most of the time, they’re looking to bring in money to the hospital directly.” 

State A Thon executive board members promoted the contest via social media to generate support in the SCHEELS giveaway. 

“We love how committed the State A Thon team was to spreading the word about our Giving Campaign. They are doing amazing things at �ձ�av��Ƶ, and we were more than excited to be a small part of it for them,” said Jenna Schlapkohl, social media manager for SCHEELS in Sioux Falls. 

Olson said the �ձ�av��Ƶ chapter of CMN Dance Marathon fundraises to support 24-26 kids with acute or ongoing health issues annually. 

Kiley Foss, �ձ�av��Ƶ’s adviser for university traditions, said 22 students serve on the State A Thon executive board, and more than 350 students are involved in the spring dance marathon. This year’s celebration is planned for April 12.