Dance Marathon
Columbia University Dance Marathon is a 28-hour charity fund raising event held in Roone Arledge Auditorium, where participants must stay on their feet (and dance) for the duration of the event. The idea behind it is that the exhaustion that the human body feels from exerting that much energy without sleep, is to some degree comparable to the struggle facing those suffering from pediatric AIDS. Dancers are encouraged to invite their friends to the event and participate as moralers, as fatigue quickly sets in after the first few hours of line dancing and dodgeball.
The event is usually held near the end of January, although the organizers begin planning for the event and dancers begin raising money early in the Fall Semester. Dance Marathon activities are not limited to the 28-hour dance. Past events have included a 5k run, "One Night for the Fight" Gala, and educational events during World AIDS Day.
Columbia's Dance Marathon is affiliated with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and donates all proceeds to the organization. Event organizers have developed strong relationships with many sponsors, including film distributors, Naked Juice, JetBlue Airlines, Aramark, Izze, local radio stations, and comedy clubs, allowing event participants to take home a nice bag of gifts as mementos and be well fed and hydrated throughout the event. In 2006, Columbia Dance Marathon was able to contribute $50,448 to EGPAF.
