First Ever DanceBlue UK Staff/Faculty Mini Marathon to be Held Feb. 18
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 4, 2016) — To support outstanding University of Kentucky students who devote a tremendous amount of time and energy fighting against childhood cancer with DanceBlue, the UK Clubs (The Club at UK’s Spindletop Hall and the Hilary J. Boone Center) and the UK Staff Senate have teamed up to present a challenge to all colleges and units across the university to see who can raise the most money for DanceBlue. UK faculty and staff who raise funds over the next two weeks are encouraged to celebrate this collective effort by attending the first ever DanceBlue UK Staff/Faculty Mini Marathon, on Thursday, Feb. 18.
The UK Staff/Faculty Mini Marathon will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilary J. Boone Center. View a special video invitation from the DanceBlue leadership at below.
"I'm so happy that we are giving the faculty and staff of UK a chance to become a part of this cause," said DanceBlue Overall Chair Erica Shipley. "It has become such an integral part of the student experience at UK, whether you're a dancer, volunteer or just a general supporter, and now we can give our professors and role models a chance to become part of it as well."
The mini marathon will feature a DanceBlue presentation from the leadership, as well as:
· Teaching of the line dance to attendees performed this fundraising year
· Patient stories and video
· Corn hole
· UK Basketball film
· "Just Dance" video
· Food from a special menu prepared by Chef Russell (see menu below)
· The final reveal of the total amount of money raised by the the faculty/staff challenge.
The only mini marathon rules are “no sitting, no sleeping” for the duration of the event in the spirit of supporting children with cancer. As Shipley states, “DanceBlue ... means so many things to so many people. For students (who participate in the 24-hour marathon), it means standing and dancing for kids whose strength is unparalleled.”
DanceBlue’s success is the result of the hard work of students and the generosity of donors across Lexington, the state of Kentucky, and the nation. These donations provide valuable support and resources to families battling pediatric cancer and give them hope in a difficult situation. Fundraising initiatives have helped to provide social workers, child life specialists, renovated clinic space, groundbreaking research, and a new patient assistance program.
All money raised over the next two weeks should be turned into the ticket office at Bowman’s Den. Instructions are:
1) Complete a deposit slip.
2) Check “Overall account.”
3) In the "Event Description" portion write Faculty/Staff Mini Marathon.
Money also may be turned in on the day of the mini marathon at the Boone Center on the Feb. 18. Organizers recommend that entities with staff councils coordinate fundraising in their respective areas. Proven ideas for fundraising are:
• Bake Sale/Lemonade Stand/Hot Chocolate Stand: Do not set a price; rather accept donations from co-workers for the kids.
• Department Contest: Give each area within your college or unit a deadline to see who can raise the most money through bucket collections, etc. and provide incentives.
Because it is important to recognize participants' commitment and support, a Best Spirit Prize will be announced at the conclusion of the mini marathon that will go to the college or unit that raises the most money. The prize will be an invitation to attend a special event hosted by President Eli Capilouto. In addition, DanceBlue benefits are granted to each college or unit based on donation amount. Visit http://danceblue.org/corporate/ for a list of donation level benefits.
The cost to attend this special event is $20 per person, and organizers are proud to announce that at least 50 percent will go to DanceBlue.
"We thank Bryant's Rent-all and US Foods for their generous donations," said Gerald Marvel, general manager of the Boone Center and The Club at Spindletop Hall.
To participate in the DanceBlue UK Staff/Faculty Mini Marathon, follow these two easy steps:
1) Reserve attendance for the mini marathon at the Boone Center by calling 859-257-1133.
2) Register the college or unit’s donations to be eligible for the Best Spirit Prize by clicking the following link and then clicking on the DanceBlue invitation on the main page: www.uky.edu/staffsenate/.
Be sure to bring a copy of your receipt from the ticket office to the event or email it to orvis.kean@uky.edu if you cannot attend.
Contact any of the following committee members for more information:
Holly Clark, hclark@uky.edu
Nate Antetomaso, communityevents@danceblue.org
Ayriana Catlett, ayriana.catlett@uky.edu
Orvis Kean, orvis.kean@uky.edu.
Erica Shipley, overall@danceblue.org
Menu for DanceBlue UK Staff/Faculty Mini Marathon:
Fruit skewers with citrus yogurt drizzle
Chicken salad mini croissants
Cuban sandwich sliders
Coconut chicken w/ Thai sweet chili sauce
Bite sized twice baked potatoes with bacon, crème fraiche and chives
Prosciutto wrapped asparagus
Potato gaufrettes with caramelized French onion dip
Deviled eggs
Caprese skewers
A selection of gourmet cookies
DanceBlue is a year-long fundraising effort that culminates in a 24 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon that benefits the Golden Matrix Fund and the DanceBlue KCH Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Now in its 11th year, DanceBlue has raised more than $8.2 million for pediatric cancer research and child life efforts. Give to DanceBlue here and connect with DanceBlue on Facebook at www.facebook.com/danceblue and on Twitter at twitter.com/UKDanceBlue.
DanceBlue is a program housed in the UK Center for Community Outreach (CCO). The CCO seeks to serve, connect and unite the University of Kentucky with the surrounding community in collaborative efforts to promote life-long community service. For more information about the CCO, visit www.ukcco.org. Connect with the CCO on Facebook here and on Twitter at twitter.com/ukcco.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu