Upcoming ‘Hoggiethon’ set for April 26
For six years, fraternities and sororities at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) have danced their hearts out to raise money for Corpus Christi’s Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
In just those six years the “Hoggiethon,” formally known as the “Dance Marathon,” has raised upwards of $70,000.
This year’s Hoggiethon is on Saturday, April 26, and this year’s theme is Dr. Seuss.
This dance-off is hosted by The Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for more than 170 pediatric hospitals in North America.
Hoggiethon hosts children who are going through treatment and their families, and in turn it allows the student body to meet and help these children have a good time.
“It’s just overall beneficial just because it gives students the opportunity to be a part of something larger than themselves and understand that people go through emotional and unfortunate circumstances from a young age. So, it kind of gives students a perspective and allows them to make a difference in their community,” Director of Outreach for Hoggiethon Pily Stevens said.
To sign up for this event students and organizations can download the app “Donor Drive” which also allows you to track donations for the event live.
Donor Drive also allows participants to sign-up and form groups through social media platforms as well as serving as a donation link participants can send to potential donors.
This year’s Hoggiethon goal is $12,000, and is also hosting its largest number of families at nine.
“Every year we’ve been able to surpass our goal. Last year it was $15,000. And we raised a little over $16,000. I think our most we’ve ever done was $17,000. And my hopes are to have as many people come out as possible. But another big hope is to have as many students involved. And of course, I would like to exceed our fundraising goal since all the proceeds do go to the kids,” Executive Director of Hoggiethon Ellen Henry said.
Lastly, participants can actively see their donations in multiple ways if they want to see their hard work in action.
“All the money that we fundraise goes to a general fund at Driscoll, but when we’ve taken tours in the past, our contact at Driscoll has explained that some of our funding can go to the general floor. There’s also a type of professional that works there called a Child Life Specialist, and their job is to help children adapt to being in a hospital. So, stuff that they would do is visit with a child and explain the process of getting an immunization, and they might bring a toy with them to demonstrate that for the child. And I do know that through that general fund, we paid those professional salaries,” Campus Activities Coordinator Kelsey Dahlbeck said.
Whether you like green eggs and ham or not, TAMUK Hoggiethon is one of the fun ways as a student or an organization on campus you can give back to your community and be able to meet, dance with and help children in need.