Over 200 Pace students came together for a great cause this past Saturday dancing for over six hours to raise money for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. The fifth year of the dance marathon, started by Pace students, brought in a decent amount of students, but possibly not enough to push for a sixth year. But that was the last thing on everyone’s mind as they danced for the kids who couldn’t.

The night started out with the moral dancers, a group of volunteer students, showing those in attendance the dance that they would be learning throughout the marathon. During the night, the dancers took turns teaching parts of the dance, so at the end of the night students could preform and send the video to the children at the hospital. Cathryn Neil, a senior biology major, was a moral dancer for the first time this year.

“I love being able to contribute to such an amazing cause,” stated Neil, “it was so fun being a dancer this year.”

Throughout the night, many speakers told their stories in connection to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, including Meredith Buono, the manager of marketing and community relations for the hospital. She spoke of how proud she was to be a part of such an amazing event, and couldn’t thank the crowd enough for all their hard work raising money for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

“At the end of tonight, we will be for the five years that you guys have been apart of this, over $100,000 raised for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital,” Buono said, “so we will ask you, for tonight, a lot of energy and a lot of happiness.”

Many families whose children were treated at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital were also in attendance to tell their stories and promote more donations. The Sedor family, whose son Kamran’s life was saved at the hospital, thanked all in attendance for their work in helping the hospital. His mother, Sumi, couldn’t say enough about how amazing the hospital was and continues to be when helping their son.

“I’m so proud of Pace for supporting such a wonderful organization, Maria Farei Children’s Hospital saved my son’s life and I am forever grateful.”

One of the most thrilling aspects of the night were the live auctions, which consisted of artwork by 22 year-old Rosina, who recently went into remission, and decorated t-shirts from patients in attendance. Melissa Aponte, who bid $250 for the first piece of artwork, started the night off strong. From then, bidding got intense, with one of the pieces of artwork selling for $700 for Delta Phi Epsilon and Phi Sigma Sigma! Nick Wang, a Pace Alumni, bids on something every year, with this year being no exception. He purchased one of the art pieces  by 22 year-old patient Rosina for $225.

“Each year I bid on a piece of art because of my passion for art, the impact it can have on us, and th stories behind the artwork,” noted Wang, who was one of the founding Board of Directors for P4K.

“As a teacher, I always hope my students and families are safe, healthy and doing well and fundraising for this incredible hospital is one way I can help.”

Even though at the end of the night, the $20,000 goal was not met, the dance marathon brought smiles to the families treated at the hospital, and the Pace community is ready to continue fundraising until the end of the month to meet their goal.