RockeTHON

Savage Arena comes alive every year with the sounds of laughter, music and dancing for the annual 13-hour RockeTHON.

University of Toledo students, faculty, friends and family come together to dance in support of the kids and families of Mercy Children’s Hospital. In the 15 years since RockeTHON began, thousands of people have come together to raise more than $700,000 in the annual dance marathon.

The money raised supports the funding of new research and technology needed to uphold the standard of care for the children and helps to provide care to families who could otherwise not afford it. The funds also help to support a multitude of therapies and services including Mercy Autism Services, hippotherapy (horse-assisted physical therapy) and Mercy Family Care Team.

Each year, at least 15 “miracle families” from the hospital are present during the event.

“We get to interact and play with the kids; then we work hard to provide them with the care they need,” said Sean Reck, overall director of RockeTHON’s executive board.

UT will host the event on April 16 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Savage Arena.

During the day, there will be live music, entertainment and competitions. Each hour, on the hour, participants will learn a new dance move and, at the end of the night, they’ll perform the whole dance together.

Jennifer Solanics, staff adviser of RockeTHON and a three-year participant, said their goal is to see 1,300 participants come out and dance the day away.

“RockeTHON is always a magical day,” Solanics said. “It will be great to see the miracle families interacting with the students, as well as the significant amount of money that is raised for the kids.”

Claire Caryer, a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon, will be participating in RockeTHON for the first time this year and said she will definitely be dancing in the coming years.

“Everyone talks about how fun it is and how much fun miracle kids have,” Caryer said. “It is a great way to raise money and it is so much fun for everyone involved.”

In addition to participating in the event, the sisters have set up an online fundraising account and each girl has their own donor drive website which they promote on social media.

“It fills me with so much delight being able to be a part of such an awesome cause,” said Autumn Beverly, another sister of Delta Phi Epsilon.

This year’s fundraising goal is $130,000, which is about $24,000 more than the amount raised last year. Reck said the students who take the initiative to fundraise are changing the world.

“To lead the team that drives a movement with this level of impact for such an amazing group of people is the most rewarding experience that I will perhaps ever have,” Reck said.

In addition to the dance marathon, RockeTHON is hosting Miracle Week during the week of April 11-15 to help raise more funds for their cause.

UT’s Centennial Mall will be filled with activities for all students, faculty and staff. Festivities include giant Twister, cornhole, a dunk tank and dogs from the Toledo Area Humane Society.

RockeTHON is also partnering with Sky Zone trampoline park, which will donate 25 percent of sales from 6-8 p.m. on April 12.

Those who wish to register for RockeTHON’s dance marathon can do so until 6 a.m. April 16, though donations can be made until midnight on April 25.