A 48-Hour Journey to Healing and Hope
Sarah August, Public Relations Staff
DOM, also known as “Days of Miracles,” represents a longstanding tradition for University of South Carolina Dance Marathon; one that sparks unity for endless miracles to be made. DOM entails two full days of pushing to register as many students and community members, known as heroes, as possible to help raise funds for the children at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands, all the while internal members push themselves to achieve the highest dollar amount they can. As the heart of the organization, USCDM’s Miracle Kids acted as a source of motivation, reminding members of who they fight for each day.
The 48-hour initiative took place on Nov. 12 and 13, with tables set up on Greene Street encouraging classmates to sign up to take part and donate to the cause. As the second major fundraising event of the year, DOM recognized the second word in this year’s year-long campaign “Together For Tomorrow.” Each year USCDM carries an underlying theme into every action made and event held, with “Together For Tomorrow” signifying that Togetherness fuels the organization’s actions and allows it to expand its mission of changing the future of children’s health. USCM is not just fighting for today but fighting for tomorrow and every day that follows.
“For” remained at the forefront of DOM, recognizing that USCDM’s purpose stems from who and what they do this for and that every day, all participants, both internal members and external heroes, are working towards a shared goal — working for a cause much greater than themselves.
“Cause connection is super important to me because I am on the hospital committee. I have the opportunity to see firsthand the patients in the hospital. I go there to interact with the children and we do crafts, play games and build a relationship with them. I share this with my donors by expressing how we bring normalcy and positivity to the children's lives during a challenging and overwhelming time,” said Marisa Bencivengo, USCDM Hospital Staff.
With that, USCDM members wore hospital bands with others’ “why” written on them, symbolizing the children who wear similar bands during their treatment. Some kids wear these bands for a short time, while others may never take them off. The bands served as a visual reminder of the mission behind the organization and the reason why students come together to raise money and awareness. These whys were also showcased on a “why board,” where those who raised $17 could write a chalk message to share what fuels their passions for USCDM.
“I am very big on cause connection, especially when it comes to asking for donations. I like to connect things that appeal to others, so my nonprofit that I work with back home is with individuals with Down Syndrome. I will always highlight our miracle kids, such as Jane and Lila who have Down Syndrome, because it gives donors a better understanding of who I am doing this for and the impact I can make on children's lives,” said Katie Lewis, USCDM Director of Special Events.
Over the two days, tabling events were filled with excitement. Students danced to music, celebrated donations by hitting a gong and even had fun by donating to pie their friends in the face to encourage giving. This helped not only bring internal members of OTOD together while raising funds but also grabbed the attention of others on campus, making the event both impactful and fun.
DOM focuses on recruiting new heroes as well as engaging external teams, ensuring that they too remain motivated and supported in their fundraising journeys. Without involvement from external participants, USCDM would not be able to carry out meaningful work each year. These groups amplify the organization’s miracle-making abilities, playing an important role they play in helping change the future of kids’ health.
“To be honest, I was pretty nervous at first because I’ve never really done [fundraising] before, but I’ve been overwhelmed in a good way by how much support I’ve gotten," said Alyssa Raynor, USCDM Design Staff. "I was a hero last year and I felt super welcomed, but I joined at the very last second, so this is my first year on staff. When reaching out to potential donors, I try to give my personal connection because I’m really close with one of the Miracle Families."
At the end of the 48-hour fundraising push, USCDM danced the night away on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to celebrate all that they accomplished. Local band Martha’s Vault took the stage, a fan favorite among the organization. The band undoubtedly set the tone for the night, leading up to the reveal of just how many miracles were made over the two days. DOM’s top fundraisers led the flip, unveiling an incredible $63,789 to round out the event. Additionally, members were able to write thank you notes to those who have supported them along the way as well as discover which color team each of the Miracle Kids are on this year, thus serving as another point of cause connection.
Through every dollar raised, every “why” shared and every dance move made, internal members saw firsthand just how much their efforts transcend individual achievement as recruiting engaged supporters to join the fight for a brighter tomorrow truly powers USCDM’s mission forward.
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