Show raises funds for children's hospitals
Published Oct. 30, 2007
Flashing lights, lively music and student fashion models lining the runway welcomed an estimated 200 guests to Tonic on Monday night to support a fundraising event for Dance Marathon.
The Dance Marathon Steering Committee collaborated with a group of modeling students from Stephens College to play host to a fashion show that benefits the Children's Miracle Network and the children's ward at the University Hospital.
"We had been throwing around the idea of a fashion show," said MacKenzie Gillam, director of the Dance Marathon Steering Committee. "We talked to the owner (of Tonic) and got permission to hold the event and went from there. It's been a really positive experience getting to work with people from Stephens and the Mizzou community."
Sponsored by downtown Columbia boutiques including Elly's Couture, Britches, Swank Boutique and Manhattan Closet, this event helped get Dance Marathon closer to its goal of raising approximately $33,000 this year.
Proceeds came from ticket sales and a percentage earned from Tonic's sales that evening.
The event took roughly a month and a half to prepare for, and involved a lot of commitment from members of the organizations associated with the event, Gillam said.
Organizers spent the month and a half of preparation finding a venue for the event, selling tickets, promoting the event, contacting local sponsors, finding models, building the platform for the fashion show and choreographing the show.
"It's been really crazy and a lot of work," Dance Marathon Steering Committee member Addison Hawkins said. "But from what I can see, our work is going to pay off."
Dance Marathon is a philanthropic organization at MU focused toward raising money for the Children's Miracle Network, which donates all of the raised money to the children's wing at the University Hospital in Columbia.
The organization holds fundraisers throughout the year to raise money.
The most recent event, aside from the fashion show, was a benefit concert at The Blue Note, which featured musical artist Matt Nathanson.
The organization is having its annual 12-hour event "Party With A Purpose" from 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 to 5 a.m. on Nov. 4 at The Blue Note.
"After going through a childhood illness, I decided I wanted to help children who may have gone through the same thing," Dance Marathon member Guy Halperin said. "Events such as this one tonight help give to the children who need it."
