News and Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2019
Contact: Sara Fazli
sfazli@elon.edu

Elon University students to hold their annual 24-hour dance

marathon
‘Elonthon’ aims to beat its former fundraising record of $452,965.18 for Duke
Children’s Hospital

Elon University will be hosting its 13th annual 24-hour dance marathon, ‘Elonthon’, on

April 12 through April 13. The 24-hour, “no sitting allowed”, event raises money for Children’s

Miracle Network and Duke Children’s Hospital. Last year, the organization raised $452,965.18

and it hopes to raise substantially more this year.

The event takes place in Elon University’s Alumni Gym. While registration for the event

is only open for Elon University students, donations are accepted and encouraged by all.

Participants are able to select the amount of time they would like to participate: six hours, 12

hours, or 24 hours. During their selected amount of time, students must stay on their feet,

whether or not they choose to dance. Participant’s requirement to stand and dance is due to one

of the events main messages: to dance for those who cannot.

As Elon’s largest student run organization, ‘Elonthon’ is planned with the advisory of its

executive board, run by ‘Elonthon’ president Jocelyn Pietro and 16 sub committees. Kathryn

Noon, a member of the Moral Committee, has been a part of the event for two years now. Noon

emphasizes the significant amount of time and effort that goes into planning a successful event.

“[Elonthon] takes a significant amount of planning,” Noon said. “Staff has been working

since last year to prepare the details.”

 In order to draw participation this year, the Elonthon executive team has decided to

incorporate activities other than dancing to the event’s mix. Some of these activities include:

Yoga from Feel Better Burlington, Zumba, Fortnite, Ping Pong, and more. Other special treats

include catering from Chick-Fil-A and additional well-known vendors.

Elonthon executive staff and committees strive to raise even more money for Duke

Children’s hospital this year.

‘Elonthon’ is Elon University’s largest student run organization. The organization raises

money for its assigned Children’s Miracle Network Hospital: Duke Children’s Hospital.

Elonthon started in 2003 and over the past 16 years has raised over $2 million for Duke

Children’s Hospital. This years ‘Elonthon’ will start on April 12 at 6 p.m. and will end April 13

at 6 p.m.