If you’re a Black Bear, chances are that you’re participating in UMaine’s fourth annual Bearfest Dance Marathon for the Kids, or have at least heard about the event from friends, classmates and social media. If you aren’t in on the action, you definitely should be. Bearfest is a 12 hour, entirely student run dance marathon to benefit the EMHS Foundation Children’s Miracle Network, and is UMaine’s largest philanthropy event. Last year, Bearfest raised nearly $50,000. Here’s how you can get involved to help reach this year’s goal of $75,000.
1. Dance!
What better way to participate in a dance marathon than by actually dancing for 12 hours straight? Dancing all night long to help make a genuine difference in the life of a child in need is guaranteed to be an experience that you will never forget. (Not to mention, a killer workout! You’ll leave the event with the satisfaction of contributing to a great cause and a step closer to that awesome bikini body you’re working on.)The marathon begins at 3 p.m. in the New Balance Student Recreation Center, and the fun continues until the amount of this year’s total donation is announced at 3 a.m. Children and families who receive care from Eastern Maine Medical Center (our local EMHS Foundation Children’s Miracle Network Hospital) will be there, too! Seeing the smiling faces of the children who are directly benefited by this event is part of what makes it one of UMaine’s most magical nights of the year. Click here to register as an individual or to join a team.
Can’t make the event? Don’t worry, you can help sponsor a UMaine student! Many involved Black Bears have set individual goals and have posted the links to their personal donation pages on Facebook and Twitter. Know a friend or classmate who is raising money for the event? Even a small donation can bring them closer to their goal. The Bearfest website includes a search tool to find the personal donation page of any registered UMaine student; click here to donate!
3. Donate!
Don’t know any involved students? Click here to make a contribution on the general donation page.
Know someone who would love to join the cause? (Um duh, of course you do!) Invite them to visit the Bearfest website with this email form.
UMaine students have been buzzing about Bearfest for months leading up to the marathon. See what they have to say by exploring the #BearfestFTK hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The hard work of the Bearfest event planners, touching stories of why students have decided to dance, and all other things #FTK are certainly worth the scroll.
Follow all of the Bearfest action!
Twitter: @UMaine_Bearfest
Instagram: @UMaine_Bearfest
Facebook: UMaine Bearfest Dance Marathon
Snapchat: @bearfest_FTK