Last Friday at midnight, hundreds of people were dancing under flashing lights, jumping around with glow sticks and sweating through their shirts--and no, they weren't at SkyBar Cafe.
The third annual Dance Marathon, held at the Student Center, raised almost $7,600 for Habitat for Humanity of Lee County.
"Sara Beth Brown, a former Miss Auburn who started the event, wanted the money to go back into the Auburn family, and we've never strayed from that," said Christen Holmes, Dance Marathon director.
The families who benefit from the money raised come in at the beginning of the night to give testimonies and at the end of the marathon for the awards ceremony.
"I want the dancers to kind of realize why they're doing it and so that's been kind of our main focus this entire year," Holmes said. "Its not just for a Student Government Association event; it's not just to look good on a resume. It's for families who need places to live, you know, to put roofs over people's heads."
Julie DiCarlo, three-time participant, said she knows the gratification that comes with 12 hours of nonstop dancing.
"I think the best part especially is in the morning when the family comes back, and you see how much you've raised and to see that you're truly making a difference just from dancing for 12 hours," DiCarlo said.
The marathon includes pizza, Lady Gaga hour, a "Thriller" dance off, performances by AU Rhythm, the step team, Aubie and Miss Auburn candidates teaching part of a line dance.
Dancers could also request songs, which were played via YouTube and shown on the two projection screens in the Student Center.
"I really like either the Zumba or the AU Rhythm dancers," said Mary Claire Estess, undeclared sophomore in science and math and first-time participant. "I think it'll get harder as the night goes on into the early hours. I know they have energy drinks so hopefully that'll help."
Chris Kennedy, a 22-year-old student in the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, took it upon himself to raise more than $1,000 for the marathon. Kennedy, using the connections from the fraternity, simply called organizations and asked for donations.
"The worst thing that can happen is they'll say no," Kennedy said.
Sponsorship has become increasingly hard to come by because of the current state of the economy.
"The economy has really hurt our corporate sponsorship because they aren't able to give as much, but we've had a lot more participation as far as dancers go," Holmes said. "So where we've lost support, we've gained support."
The support from the participants is what keeps the dance marathon moving all night long.
"Every year I have so much fun doing it, and it's really one of the things I look forward to every year," DiCarlo said. "I love to dance, and every year they get better so I keep coming back. The cool thing is every time I come back I see familiar faces from the year before."
However, it is a marathon, and preparation should not be taken lightly.
"It's a very long time to stay, and we just encourage healthy, healthy, healthy eating habits the night before," Holmes said. "Rest, drink water, eat well and get pumped. I just want everyone to know why they're there, and it's not about them. It's about families that need their help."
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