Elonthon, Elon University’s 24-hour dance marathon, is returning April 12 for its eighth year and this time around it will be stronger than ever. During past years, the nonprofit event for Duke Children’s Hospital had about 1,000 students attend. This year, the total is more than 1,200.
The theme this year revolves around a circus. Elonthon participants will have entertainment ranging from a world-champion juggler to magicians to Irish dancers. Four of Elon’s a cappella groups are invited to perform.
“It’s becoming part of Elon’s culture and less of just another event on campus,” said senior Sarah Davenport, director of operations for Elonthon.
The planning for Elonthon began when the executive members went on a retreat last summer. Meetings for the event started as soon as the school year commenced in the fall.
Elonthon volunteers are excited about a new addition this year: The "Inspiration Tent."
“[The tent] will include posters of each of the children coming and a mailbox for dancers to write notes in,” said senior Stephanie Quinn, family relations coordinator. “The posters will share the story of their Duke Children's experience. We will send the letters and notes that dancers write to the families after 'Thon.”
Quinn said one of her favorite quotes about Elonthon says, "When sickness stops we'll dance for joy but until then we'll keep dancing for life."
Along with other entertainment, families with children who have been affected by major illnesses come to speak to the Elonthon crowd. This year, some nurses and doctors from the hospital will also visit to share some of their stories.
“I am always particularly excited to hear [freshman and cancer survivor] Leigha Martinelli speak,” said senior Allie Weller, executive director. “She has been coming to Elonthon for almost a decade and is now an Elon student. There are over a dozen families coming, though, all with their own story and all equally amazing.”
This year, 15 families will come to speak and enjoy the activities and food Elonthon provides.
“We tried to make our food healthier this year,” Davenport said. “We’re using less fast food restaurants and more healthy options and sit-down restaurants that have donated.”
Elonthon has a very special place in many of the executive members’ hearts, many of whom were given a tour of Duke Children’s Hospital. Most have been a part of the event since their freshman year.
“We went to the NICU and it was an overwhelming but amazing experience,” Davenport said. ”We saw children that were tiny, the size of a brick. When we finished the tour, our guide brought us to the donor board in the lobby of the hospital and Elonthon was up on the top level of donors because we raised over $100,000 last year.”
Sophomore Brogan Boles, publicity coordinator, said he could not think of another event where so many happy people gathered in one place for the same cause.
"Being in Alumni Gym with these people for 24 hours gives me this unbelievable feeling of empowerment,” Boles said. “What we are doing is legitimately saving lives"