What is the Rutgers Dance Marathon?

Rutgers University Dance Marathon is a 32-hour, student-run philanthropic event to raise money for the Embrace Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids the non-medical needs of children with cancer and blood disorders. Over the past 10 years, DM has raised over $1.6 million for the Embrace Kids Foundation benefiting thousands of families in the tri-state area. DM is also the major contributor to the Embrace Kids Foundation, out of the many fundraising events dedicated to raising money for the Foundation.

For the past 10 years, DM has quickly become a community service tradition, showing the local and Rutgers community the type of large-scale public good Rutgers students can unite to perform. Planning for DM begins every May with the selection of the Central Planning Team/Board of Directors. Underneath the Central Planning Team are captains, student leaders, and committee members, student volunteers, dedicated to making DM the best yet. The culmination of yearlong planning and fundraising is the weekend-long DM, held April 4-5, 2009. Over 400 Rutgers students sign up as dancers, pledging money and committing to remain on their feet for the full 32 hours. While standing on their feet, dancers are entertained by live bands, DJ’s, professional and student performing groups. Dancers also have the opportunity to participate in numerous tournaments, theme hours, and prize giveaways.

During the Family Hour, families from Robert Wood Johnson Hospital visit DM, participating in fun games and activities. Students are able to see first-hand the families that are directly benefiting from their time and effort. Many students have cited DM as one of the most rewarding experiences they have been a part of at Rutgers. Whether you are a member of Greek life, a student organization, or just want to help raise money for children with cancer, DM could change your RU experience and make a difference in someone’s life.

If you have any questions about DM, please e-mail me at: students@marathon.rutgers.edu

For The Kids,
Ashley Garrison
Assistant Director of Recruitment

Our Cause

The RU Dance Marathon is a 32-hour student-run philanthropic event that unites the Rutgers community in an effort to raise money and increase awareness for the Embrace Kids Foundation. It is a university wide tradition composed of volunteers who champion a commitment to service, leadership development, and fun.

Our Mission

To create a legacy of community service.
To establish caring and community involvement at Rutgers University.
To raise funds and awareness for the patient families served by the Embrace Kids Foundation.
To provide real world leadership experiences.
To have fun.

Why Donate?

All the money raised by Rutgers University Dance Marathon goes to the Embrace Kids Foundation, located in New Brunswick, NJ. The Embrace Kids Foundation takes care of the non-medical needs of the families receiving treatment. These non-medical needs include family services, such as the Parent to Parent Support Group, Summer Sibling Program, and the Adopt-a-Family program. Embrace Kids Foundation also offers other services, such as financial assistance for utility bills, transportation to and from the clinic, and childcare assistance. The Embrace Kids Learning Center is also offered to children so that they can still receive an education while undergoing treatment. Counselors and child-life specialists are also on staff for families.

The Embrace Kids Foundation is located in the Edith and Martin Stein Building of Hope, on Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ. The Building of Hope is a three-story home conveniently located across the street from Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. The Building of Hope offers a place for families to go as a “home away from home.” Families are able to cook meals, do laundry, watch television, or just relax in this comfortable setting while being outside of the hospital.

DM contributes the most money to the Embrace Kids Foundation out of its other philanthropy events. This past year, DM donated $318,989.08 to the Foundation, and a total of $1.6 million since 1998.

For more information about the Embrace Kids Foundation, visit their website at www.embracekids.org.