Terp Thon holds its dance marathon virtually amidst the pandemic
By Meghan Curtis
March 23, 2021
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sarah Neubecker for Terp Thon
Terp Thon held its annual dance marathon fundraiser virtually on Saturday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The student-run organization raised $286,138.39 for Children’s National Hospital’s COVID-19 Emergency Action Fund.
The team broadcasted the dance marathon via Twitch and also used Zoom and social media platforms in order to bring the Terp Thon participants together virtually with the Miracle Kids and their families.
“It was more important than ever before to be clear that our event was taking place virtually and through a livestream, but we still wanted to ensure that people knew we were still bringing many of Terp Thon’s traditions to life online,” said Sarah Neubecker, Terp Thon’s communications director. The Terp Thon team also hosted an Instagram Live with their Miracle Kid Chase during their lunch break, where he hosted his own cooking show
Over 1,2000 people participated in the dance marathon, according to PR chair Jake Maggid. However, Terp Thon wasn’t all dancing, it also included student performances, different games, fundraising challenges and a Miracle Kid Talent Show.
“Whether it be our Miracle Kid Talent Show, Morale Dance, or patient stories, we made sure to find a way to include them all in our Dance Marathon while adhering to COVID-19 protocols,” said Maggid. In addition, “it was so easy to create videos or share interviews to recognize these outstanding individuals and their stories” virtually, according to Neubecker. Terp Thon even “had an interactive online game tournament complete with scribbl.io and Kahoot where participants could interact with each other,” said Jackie Blair, Terp Thon’s executive director. The virtual atmosphere did not stop the Terp Thon team from creating a fun and positive experience for participants.
Sigma Nu claimed the title of top Interfraternity Council fundraiser and Alpha Epsilon Phi was awarded the top Panhellenic Association fundraiser. As for the top Professional Greek Council fundraiser, Alpha Omega Epsilon took home the title. The top student organization fundraiser was Images. The 5th floor of Cumberland was the top residence hall fundraiser, while the Bagel Fan Club won the top team fundraiser title.
Looking forward, the Terp Thon team plans to utilize some virtual platforms in the future in order to bring together more people in the community. “Terp Thon will continue to be creative and inventive on how to engage a larger community to further support Children’s National Hospital,” said Blair.
The team broadcasted the dance marathon via Twitch and also used Zoom and social media platforms in order to bring the Terp Thon participants together virtually with the Miracle Kids and their families.
“It was more important than ever before to be clear that our event was taking place virtually and through a livestream, but we still wanted to ensure that people knew we were still bringing many of Terp Thon’s traditions to life online,” said Sarah Neubecker, Terp Thon’s communications director. The Terp Thon team also hosted an Instagram Live with their Miracle Kid Chase during their lunch break, where he hosted his own cooking show
Over 1,2000 people participated in the dance marathon, according to PR chair Jake Maggid. However, Terp Thon wasn’t all dancing, it also included student performances, different games, fundraising challenges and a Miracle Kid Talent Show.
“Whether it be our Miracle Kid Talent Show, Morale Dance, or patient stories, we made sure to find a way to include them all in our Dance Marathon while adhering to COVID-19 protocols,” said Maggid. In addition, “it was so easy to create videos or share interviews to recognize these outstanding individuals and their stories” virtually, according to Neubecker. Terp Thon even “had an interactive online game tournament complete with scribbl.io and Kahoot where participants could interact with each other,” said Jackie Blair, Terp Thon’s executive director. The virtual atmosphere did not stop the Terp Thon team from creating a fun and positive experience for participants.
Sigma Nu claimed the title of top Interfraternity Council fundraiser and Alpha Epsilon Phi was awarded the top Panhellenic Association fundraiser. As for the top Professional Greek Council fundraiser, Alpha Omega Epsilon took home the title. The top student organization fundraiser was Images. The 5th floor of Cumberland was the top residence hall fundraiser, while the Bagel Fan Club won the top team fundraiser title.
Looking forward, the Terp Thon team plans to utilize some virtual platforms in the future in order to bring together more people in the community. “Terp Thon will continue to be creative and inventive on how to engage a larger community to further support Children’s National Hospital,” said Blair.