Local News - March 2003

Student dances 24 hours

Editor’s note: This coverage is provided by a journalism student in the Carolina Community Media Project at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The Project is also supported by the UNC-CH Carolina Center for Public Service.

By MEGAN HOYLE, Special to the LTN

March 5, 2003 - “Do a little dance, show a little love, get down all night” were the words on Allison Lowe’s shirt as she remained on her feet for 24 hours in the fifth annual UNC Dance Marathon.

Lowe, from Lincolnton, was one of 550 students from UNC-CH who danced in the marathon Feb. 21-22.

This year the UNC Dance Marathon, the largest student fund-raiser on campus, raised an all-time high of $167,238. Dance Marathon’s profits go into the “For the Kids Fund” which is then distributed to parents of sick children at N.C. Children’s Hospital

The fund helps families with costs not covered by insurance, such as providing gas, meals, electric bills, and buying Christmas presents

For Lowe, a senior psychology major, “family hour “ was the most touching part of the  marathon, which lasted from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. Patients and their families came to the event to share personal stories and thank the dancers and other sponsors for all the money that they have raised.

During family hour, the patients kept the dancers motivated by dancing and playing games. For the dancers, seeing those that they have helped first-hand made everything worthwhile.

Phrases like, “A dream, a dance, a life, a chance” were painted on posters to remind the dancers of their dedication.

“Family hour puts everything in perspective for me,” said Lowe. “We’re all tired and the dancers are complaining about standing for so long, and some of these kids can’t even walk.”

Throughout the 24 hours, dancers were not allowed to wear watches or have cellular phones, which made it somewhat difficult to pass the time. Organizers packed the event with activities and entertainment that helped Lowe keep her mind off of her feet, such as performing this year’s unique line dance each hour.

“You don’t have to dance the whole time, but sometimes it just feels better to keep your feet moving,” she said. Many dancers brought along textbooks or magazines to read as well as homework to help them stay awake.

About halfway through the marathon, dancers received letters and care packages from friends and family showing support of the dancers’ dedication. This year, in addition to a letter from her parents, Wayne and Jane Lowe of Lincolnton, Lowe also received many letters from her aunts, family friends in Lincolnton, and family friends out of state.

For Lowe the Dance Marathon was not her first experience at helping her community. As a student at Lincolnton High School, she volunteered through the National Honor Society and Beta Clubs, and as a member of Boger City United Methodist Church she volunteered for the Soup Kitchen of Christian Ministry of Lincoln County.

Lowe described the last hour of the marathon as the most rejuvenating. The patients returned to the dance and the countdown toward the finale began. At 7 p.m., Lowe was allowed to sit down, but after seeing the grand total of $167,238, everyone remained standing in astonishment.

“The finale is amazing. The kids and the dancers are standing together, everyone is emotionally and physically tired, but it’s worth it to know we made a difference,” said Lowe.

This goes to show that college students aren’t selfish. We’re not doing it for the resume, we’re doing it because we care.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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