Correction: Text Riley to 90999 not Dance Marathon.
Dance Marathon will have events benefiting Riley Hospital for Children all week in addition to the traditional Saturday night 12-hour event.
Dance Marathon is raising funds and awareness for its cause all week. The kickoff began Monday as students were encouraged to wear red to promote the week of events.
Amanda Tompi, Dance Marathon special events co-chairwoman, said they wanted to get those participating more involved this year.
"We just kind of want to get everyone more involved than just show up the day of," she said. "This week people will get to know each other."
Tonight is Dance Marathon's Chili's night. Students are encouraged to eat at Chili's with a Dance Marathon flyer so the restaurant will donate 10 percent of the bill to Riley Hospital for Children. Fliers can be found on the "BSUDM - Ball State Dance Marathon" Facebook page.
Dance Marathon reserved the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Multipurpose Room for relay races Wednesday night. The races begin at 7 p.m.
Dancers who are already signed up for Dance Marathon can win points for their teams for Saturday's event. The special events committee initially wanted to do wagon races because that is Riley's symbol, but the committee could not find any wheelbarrows.
Dance Marathon will host a pancake dinner at the Campus Christian House on Thursday. They will serve pancakes for $1 per plate from 7 to 9 p.m. Students attending will also be able to purchase coffee.
The Pharos, a Bloomington band, will perform in the Student Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. Friday. Students will be able to see the band free of charge.
Saturday will mark the 11th Ball State Dance Marathon. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 3 a.m. at Irving Gym in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
The number of dancers has grown substantially from last year. Sara Gerlich, special events co-chairwoman, said fewer than 100 dancers were at the 2010 marathon. This year, almost 350 dancers are signed up to participate Saturday night.
Students who don't attend Dance Marathon events can still help.
This week, people can text Riley to 90999 for a one-time, $5 donation.
Kayla Pickersgill, Dance Marathon public relations chairwoman, said Dance Marathon is all about helping the Riley Hospital for Children, even though it is a lot of fun.
"We want students to be aware of the cause these students are dancing for," she said. "The marathon is for one night, but what we're doing for these kids lasts a lifetime."
Week of events:
Tuesday: Chili's Night - 10 percent goes to Riley Hospital for Children
Wednesday: Relay Race Night - 7 p.m. Student Center Multipurpose Room
Thursday: Pancake Night - $1 pancake plate from 7 to 9 p.m. at Campus Christian House
Friday: The Pharos - Free concert at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom
Saturday: Dance Marathon - 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Irving Gym in Student Recreation and Wellness Center
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