Hopefully, if you are a student at UMaine you have heard about Black BearTHON, but maybe you don’t know all the facts. Since 2012 UMaine students have come together to raise more than $320,000 FOR THE KIDS. It’s coming up fast, happening on February 10th this year, so make sure you know your facts about this amazing event!
1. It is a 12 hour Dance Marathon.
More than 450 schools nationwide take part in an annual Dance Marathon that benefit their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Black BearTHON is twelve hours long starting at 1:00pm on February 10th and going until 1:00am on the 11th.
2. Every Penny raised goes to the Children’s Miracle Network.
When I say every penny, I mean every penny. And to make it even better, all the money raised in central, eastern, and northern Maine stays right here in Maine. The money raised at UMaine goes directly to the NICU unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center to help buy special Premie Swaddler diapers, diaper scales, incubators commonly called Giraffes and anything else these little nuggets need. What’s better than helping a little baby in need, right?
3. It is free to register!
Go online now to events.dancemarathon.com and register for Black BearTHON! It’s completely free to sign up and if you get enough donations you’ll even get to take home some cool prizes. Raise $7 and you get free food at the event, and that right there makes it all worth it.
4. Anyone can come!
Invite your friends, invite your siblings, invite your mom, heck even invite your grandma! Anyone can come to Black BearTHON and there will be events and games for all ages. Also, did I mention there will be food?
5. It is in THE UNION.
Previously Black BearTHON has been held in the New Balance Student Rec. Center surrounded by sweaty workout equipment, this year we will be taking over the Memorial Union.
6. There will be Miracle Children there
That’s right! There will be adorable children there, and not only are they adorable they are some of the many children that have benefitted from the Dance Marathon here at UMaine. These children have endured unimaginable difficulties such as being born extremely premature to fighting and beating cancer by the time they started kindergarten.
7. Why $152?
When registering for Black BearTHON you will be prompted to set a fundraising goal of $152 and many people have no idea why. 152 was picked to celebrate how long the University of Maine has been established because we are all about the cause connection, but remember, you can always make your goal higher.
8. You’ll get rewarded for fundraising.
As I mentioned before you can take home cool prizes! Fundraise $7 and you’ll get free food at the event, and I promise you it’s good food. Raise over $49 and win a 2018 Black BearTHON T-Shirt; $109 will get you a Black BearTHON pennant. Reach the set goal of $152 and win a UMaine winter hat. Anyone that raises $250 will have their name entered in a raffle to win one of three pairs of LL Bean winter boots. $300 will get you a cool pair of tech socks, $450 gets you a custom wooden medallion. $526 and you get a customized three quarter zip rain jacket, $750 and you get a Black BearTHON flag. If you really go above and beyond and raise $1,000 you get to take home a visor, a vest AND a yeti cup.
9. There are Theme Hours
Although the overall theme of this years Black BearTHON is Madagascar, there will be multiple themes designated to different hours throughout the night. Each theme hour will have its own decorations, games, and food. The different themes include Arctic Adventure, We’re Going on a Safari, Rainforest Rampage, DreamWorks Pajama Party, Going Mad for Candy, Luau Party and a Glow Party.
10. Expect a packing list!
A packing list for all the essentials needed to make the most out of Black BearTHON will be sent out to all registered participants before the event. This list will include different outfits/ accessories for the theme hours along with a few other small items. A room in the union will be designated to keep everyone’s belongings safe so no need to worry about bringing your fav stuffed animal you can’t leave the house without!
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