Northwestern University has enjoyed a well-deserved, world-class academic reputation for many years. Most recently the football team has brought prominence, respect and admiration to the university for “doing things right while winning.”
I want to express to NU a very sincere thank you in a different, less publicized way. On March 1-3, during Northwestern’s 22nd Annual Dance Marathon, hundreds of students came together to raise money for a selected philanthropic cause. This year the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Illinois was the lucky beneficiary of this spectacular event.
It was absolutely unbelievable! The marathon raised an enormous amount of money through a weekend of activities including a 5K run, a fantastic production of the Broadway musical “The Wiz,” a full casino, a spa and health center, a pool tournament, a silent auction and, of course, the 30-hour Dance Marathon. All this went on under the roof of NU’s Norris Student Center.
To say the very least, the entire board of directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was overwhelmed with Dance Marathon. As a result of their most professional, hard-working and dedicated efforts, our organization was the recipient of an astounding $227,198. These funds will be used to fulfill the favorite wishes of 50 children who suffer from terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Through the hard work and dedication of hundreds of Northwestern University students, Dance Marathon has given these children and their families memories that will last a lifetime.
Make-A-Wish salutes Dance Marathon’s executive committee and the hundreds of volunteers and dancers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
