Molly O’Connor/Winonan

“We dance for those who cannot.”

On Friday, Feb. 15, Saint Mary’s University, located in Winona, held an all-night dance marathon from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., with the hopes to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The money that was raised went to support hospitalized children who need the help and medical attention provided by hospitals, such as the local hospital of Gunderson Lutheran. The event was free and open to students from both Saint Mary’s and Winona State, as well as faculty members and parents.

Check-in for the dance opened at 8:15 p.m. in the gym of Saint Mary’s, where students registered, signing a waiver, donated and took part in optional activities such as a raffle or a competition for the longest dancer, eventually gathering together to listen to a DJ for several hours.

Later on in the night, the brothers of the fraternity Phi Mu Alpha provided live music.

Serica Rowley, this year’s Miss Winona and a student attending Saint Mary’s University, came up with the idea to host the dance marathon after contacting Gunderson Lutheran reps to ask for support of the Children’s Miracle Network, who were also hoping to have a dance marathon.

Through her “dedication and determination to complete the task,” as stated by a member of the Board of Trustees at Saint Mary’s, the event became a work in progress that was successfully completed after months of planning.

Shortly after the dance officially began, members of the committee gathered to share the story of one of the children who has been fortunate enough to receive help from the Children’s Miracle Network.

Abel Boettcher, a 3-year-old from Altoona, Wis., suffered a series of strokes on both sides of his brain as well as a brain hemorrhage.

“We were told he would never walk or speak, basically function, normally after going through these problems, and now he’s our miracle,” Abel’s mother said. “We really are extremely fortunate for everything Children’s Miracle Network has provided.”

Founded in 1983 by Marie Osmond, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake, the Children’s Miracle Network grew from being a small, televised fundraiser to a leading children’s charity.

The organization was started with two goals in mind: to help as many children as possible, and to keep funds in the community where they were raised to help support the local children.

However, not all stories, such as that for Abel Boettcher, were as uplifting.

“Although the Children’s Miracle Network has done so much for so many children and their families, not everyone is as fortunate to make it through,” dance committee member Hannah Schwarze explained, beginning a tribute to several children.

As a moment of silence spread across the gym, white balloons were illuminated with glowing lights in respect for the children lost.

As the clock struck 3 a.m., and committee members began gathering the decorations that were left behind, donations were tallied to discover and calculate a pleasing result.

“We’ve raised almost $1,200 so far and we’re still getting donations online,” Schwarze said after the event wrapped up.

Saint Mary’s dance marathon provided more hope for children in need at hospitals in the Winona and surrounding Wisconsin areas, allowing children to get the attention needed and deserved.

Contact Molly at [email protected]