Another year, another record: BobcaThon 2019 raises over $110,000
Rainbow lights illuminated the Baker University Center Ballroom as crowds of enthusiastic 91视频 students gathered to hear the results of a year鈥檚 worth of fundraising efforts: OHIO鈥檚 BobcaThon had made history once again, raising more than $110,000 to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.
A 12-hour dance marathon, 91视频鈥檚 fifth annual BobcaThon was held Feb. 16, capping off a year-long, student-led fundraiser designed to raise awareness for children with serious illness and their families, and to support a nonprofit organization that serves those families.
In its first four years, BobcaThon raised more than $233,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio, a nonprofit that provides families, including those in Southeastern Ohio, with housing, meals and other forms of support while their children battle serious illness in Columbus-area hospitals.
set the bar high, raising a record-breaking $100,000 to help RMHC of Central Ohio provide its life-changing services free of charge. But OHIO Bobcats were up to the challenge, hosting events and partnering with local businesses and other supporters of the cause to raise a history-making $110,020.06.
鈥淭hrough my major, I have seen that childhood illness affects all aspects of health, both mental and physical,鈥 said Nicholette Pagan, a third-year student studying child and family studies with a child life concentration. Pagan was part of Alpha Delta Pi鈥檚 BobcaThon team. 鈥淕iving these families an easier living space for the kids to grow and develop is so important, and it鈥檚 why I participate in BobcaThon.鈥
During the 12-hour event, participants stayed active the entire time, dancing, playing games and hearing from families who have been served by RMHC of Central Ohio. Staying on their feet provided participants with a physical reminder of the exhaustion children with serious illness and their families face every day. A rally cry and source of encouragement throughout the event was 鈥淔TK鈥濃斺淔or The Kids.鈥
鈥淚 can only imagine what these kids go through,鈥 said Riley Elliott, a first-year student majoring in psychology. 鈥淭he fact that I can help with such little effort really means so much to me.鈥
In addition to setting a fundraising record, this year鈥檚 BobcaThon also set a record for participation amongst members of OHIO鈥檚 Sorority and Fraternity Life, with 91视频鈥檚 chapter of Alpha Delta Pi raising the most money, a total of $5,906.
Here are some memorable moments from BobcaThon 2019:
Maura Anderson, morale captain of the Purple Team, performs a dance routine with other morale captains during the opening ceremony of BobcaThon 2019. Photo by Harley Wince, BSVC 鈥21
91视频 students dance during the Rave Hour of BobcaThon 2019, held Feb. 16 in the Baker University Center Ballroom. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
Madison Shoff, an OHIO student majoring in biology and psychology, dances with fellow morale captains during the opening ceremony of Bobcathon 2019. Photo by Harley Wince, BSVC 鈥21
BobcaThon 2019 participants take a break from dancing for a quick selfie. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
91视频 students join in circles before team contribution announcements are made at BobcaThon 2019. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
Members of BobcaThon 2019鈥檚 student leadership team announce the total raised for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio during this year鈥檚 fundraising efforts. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20
Ryan Capal, an 91视频 senior and director of branding and marketing for BobcaThon 2019, hugs a fellow member of the event鈥檚 leadership team after hearing the total raised during this year鈥檚 fundraising efforts. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC 鈥20