Norwalk Dance Marathon

On March 9th, Norwalk Dance Marathon will celebrate all the money they have fundraised for the children fighting pediatric cancer at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Norwalk participates in a mini dance marathon which contributes to the University of Iowa’s Dance Marathon. This past weekend, the University of Iowa celebrated their own dance marathon and fundraised 2.96 million dollars! All the money fundraised goes towards cancer research, operating costs, and financial aid to families affected by pediatric cancer.

This year, Norwalk Dance Marathon hopes to contribute even more money than they did last year. This is the second year of Norwalk’s Dance Marathon existence. The goal was to fundraise $5,000 last year, but they surpassed that goal by fundraising $9,007.90. The goal this year is to fundraise $10,000. Dance Marathon fundraises in many ways: going door to door to ask households for money, collecting money at school events, having tables at stores, and hosting yellow out events. Raising $10,000 is not simple. It’s a year-long effort that requires a lot of hard work. Norwalk Dance Marathon President, Annie Balk, had to say this about dance marathon: “Dance Marathon does not only build a network of young adults fighting to make an impact but dramatically affects the lives of those who are fighting for their lives. It has continued to create an everlasting impact, help us keep this impact alive. In the end, it’s all for a greater cause. It’s truly for the kids.”

To commemorate all of Dance Marathon’s work, a four-hour event will be held at the high school on March 9th. The entertainment chair of Norwalk Dance Marathon, Lily Quade, said “It will be a four-hour event with lots of snacks, pizza, and fun. We will have activities like yard games, spikeball, nine square, gaga ball, an awesome DJ, and other fun power hour activities.” If you are not a dance marathon participant, you are still allowed to come to participate in the event for an entrance fee.

Norwalk Dance Marathon wants all the help they can get! A way you can spread the word about dance marathon is by donating to or sharing the online donation link. If you are interested in participating in this amazing organization, talk to the dance marathon sponsors Mrs. Popken and Mrs. Wiedmann.