UGA Miracle, the University of Georgia’s largest student-led philanthropic organization, will host its 31st annual Dance Marathon at Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday, following a record-breaking fundraising year. The event serves as the organization’s final fundraising push to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
The dance marathon runs 13.5 hours featuring live music, dancing and family impact stories. Organizers will announce this year’s total fundraising amount at the end of the event.
It’s an event that’s open to everyone in the community,” said Grace Tortorella, Miracle’s executive director.
“You can decide you want to come on the day of, and we will be more than happy to welcome you into Stegeman and steward you and just be so glad that you are there and make it an event that’s worth their time.”
Record-Breaking Numbers
Miracle reported a record-breaking Greek Week and Presidents Day this year, raising $202,103.59. The weeklong fundraising campaign, held Feb. 9-15, included events such as a Super Bowl watch party, line dancing lessons and basketball tournament to celebrate Miracle and the Greek community. The event concluded with a Presidents Day fundraising competition among Greek chapter presidents.
“So on top of having a record-breaking Greek week and Presidents Day, we’ve had record-breaking fundraising pushes throughout the year,” Tortorella said. “So we definitely know that people are excited to keep fundraising.”
Miracle also partners with 10 high school programs around the state to put on mini dance marathons in February. The events are student-led fundraising events similar to dance marathon, including dancing games, themed activities and impact stories. This year’s mini dance marathons raised $91,891.47, an increase of about $12,000 from last year.
Impact Beyond Athens
Miracle’s proceeds support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Rehabilitation Services at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Past fundraising helped build a pediatric aquatic therapy pool and supported construction of the Arthur M. Blank Hospital, which opened in 2024.
“The very first time we toured it (Arthur M. Blank Hospital) over the summer, it was a completely life-changing experience, getting to see like … that we had contributed some in making that beautiful building happen, was really awesome, and just knowing that it’s there in Atlanta, is definitely part of the reason why I keep going,” said Virginia Miller, Miracle’s finance director.
The dance marathon features stories from families impacted by treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Tortorella said these impact stories distinguish the event from typical fundraisers and highlight its impact.
“It’s easy to have it lost in translation that we’re just fundraising for a children’s hospital,” she said. “So the money that we raised has had direct impacts at the hospital and being able to share that with people has been really beneficial.”
What to Expect at Dance Marathon
The event begins at 10:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony featuring the Redcoat Marching Band, dance performances and remarks from UGA President Jere Morehead. The four themed hours include a gameday, surf & turf, “it’s a marathon not a sprint” and magic hour. Other popular events include hospital hour from 12:40-1:10 p.m. and the silent disco from 2:15-2:45 p.m.
The two major fundraising pushes occur after the opening ceremony, and the final effort, called Circle of Hope, takes place shortly before the event ends at midnight.
Emily Laycock is a third-year student majoring in journalism.
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