Do A(n easy) Good Thing for Sick Children

Hellloooooo everyone!

Remember a while back when I raised money for Children's Miracle Network through KU Dance Marathon?

(If you don't remember, a quick recap: last semester, I started advising a student group called KU Dance Marathon. These crazy passionate, hardworking, loving students work year-round to raise money that goes to sick kiddos in our local Children's Miracle Network hospital.)

I'm still working with KUDM, and we currently have a SUPER EASY, quick way to help out!

A local apartment complex is donating $1000 to the student group who gets the most likes on their picture. If you have a facebook, please consider going and liking KUDM's picture HERE. It'll take you three seconds. Maybe seven if you have to log in. But it could make a huge difference in the life of a struggling little one and their family.


(Yes, I'm trying to guilt you into this.)

If you really want to help, please also consider sharing the picture! The more likes, the better chance we have at helping more kids.

Like the picture here!

Questions? Check out KUDM's website or let me know!

Thanks, loves! FTK!

Dance Marathon 2013

Getting ready 

The Marathon

By the numbers:

21/30 hours spent at the Kansas Union

100 pizzas eaten (!!)

12 hours of required standing

12+ hours of actual standing, dancing, zumbaing, yogaing, eating, carnivaling and more dancing

$61,500.65 raised 

for KU Pediatrics and Children's Miracle Network.

Thank you, again, to all who donated. You helped make this event, you helped so many families. You put some good in this world.

PS - More pictures on Dance Marathon's Facebook page.

For the Kids, part two

Guys.

GUYS.

Remember a little while ago when I posted about the fundraiser I'm participating in? No?

Well. It's a twelve-hour, dancing-or-standing-or-zumbaing-or-shuffling-but-not-sitting-marathon that raises money for Children's Miracle Network.

I got involved this year as an adviser and have been blown away by the amazing students working to give children and families the emotional and financial support they need. I started raising money so that the kids who receive help from the Children's Miracle Network get a chance to grow up and be college kids and turn into inspiring, passionate adults like the ones who have impressed me so much working for KU Dance Marathon.

Know what else blew me away??

Your amazing support. When I registered, I set a goal of $175, thinking it would be difficult. Because life is tough and the economy isn't great and it's hard to send money to a charity when you're wondering how you're going to get gas for your car (I know that's not just me).

But you guys. You guys got me to my goal a full two and a half weeks early.

It has been so humbling. It has been so incredible. Seeing the people I love give to this cause reminded me why I love them and why they're so awesome and reminded me why I'm so lucky to have you in my lives. (Cheesy? Yes. True? Absolutely.)

Earlier this week, I raised my goal to $225. Again, I realize this might not happen. But I didn't want to stop there. If we can find another $5 for the kids and their families, that will be a success. If you're able, please consider donating here.

Thank you to all who donated. I'm so, so fortunate to know you all.

For the Kids,

Anna's first Late Night

Hello friends!

A couple weekends ago my little sister came up to visit me and Pat!

We (after much turmoil) got in to see Late Night in the Phog, a big Kansas Basketball tradition.

Then, in the morning, we went to a breakfast tailgate and then to the football game!
KU played amazingly through the first quarter...

...and then played like KU the rest of the game. :)

Then that night, we played cards with Pat's dad and friends, who were also in town for Late Night.

I think it's fair to say Anna is as much of a Jayhawk as one can be before actually attending KU.

Rock Chalk!

For the Kids

Hi friends!

Last week, I posted about my job and why I love it.

Today, I wanted to share with you an awesome opportunity I've had this semester.

Dance Marathon is an organization/event that takes place at universities across the country. KU Dance Marathon strives to provide emotional and financial support to the children, and their families, of KU Pediatrics, our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. KUDM hosts fundraising events throughout the year. These efforts culminate each November, when more than 500 KU students unite to stand on their feet for 12 hours at Dance Marathon.We stand because we can, for kids who can’t.

I joined KUDM as an adviser this year and have been so impressed, so inspired and so amazed by the dedication of the students in this organization!

Talking with one of the Dancers about the miracle children they've met is like talking to a mother about her children. Many of them have been involved in KUDM since they started at KU, and it has changed them. Knowing these children has given them each an incredible heart for serving others and extraordinary passion and dedication. You can see it in the way they talk with each other, in their every action, and in the spark in their eye when they're working on KUDM.

As I talked about last week, I am studying to work in colleges and universities, helping students grow, change and become the best versions of themselves they can.

I am fundraising and will be standing for the kids so that each of them can have the opportunity to reach this incredible period in their lives -- so they have the chance to grow up, to make awesome choices and terrible choices and explore the world and figure out how they fit in it. I'm fundraising for the kids and standing for the kids so they can have all the opportunities I've had and all the opportunities I haven't.

I know there are a million good causes out there, and I know everyone's finances are tight right now, but I hope you will consider supporting my participation in the KU Dance Marathon 2013 event. All contributions will benefit my local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Any contribution will help, and all donations are tax deductible.

If each of my Google followers donated just $1, I'd meet my fundraising goal. If you can spare even just a dollar, I hope you will.

You can find my personal fundraising page here or by clicking the new badge on the side of my page. If you're local, consider becoming a dancer yourself! The event / celebration is November 9 here on the KU campus, and we will be standing and dancing for the kids from 10-10! It's guaranteed to be a great time.

Thank you all for reading!

For the Kids,