Students put on their dancing shoes on Saturday, Feb. 24 and came together for the University of Mississippi’s annual RebelTHON, a 12-hour dance marathon fundraiser for Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s sole children’s hospital.
The organization raised $272,616.06, which is over $60,000 more than last year’s total.
“$272,676.06 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with RebelTHON,” Tanner Gough, director of special events and a junior accounting major, said. “Our executive leadership did a tremendous job spearheading this year’s efforts. We broke our all-time fundraising record, and the level of enthusiasm I witnessed from the participants was unlike any other year I’ve been involved in. The future is incredibly bright for the children in our state.”
Sellers Shockley, a junior public policy leadership major, serves on the Miracle Family Relations Committee. After two years of involvement with RebelTHON, her favorite part of the organization is the ability to connect with kids and help the community.
“As the only Children’s Hospital in Mississippi, RebelTHON is a crucial way that Ole Miss can help the community,” Shockley said. “The money and awareness that this dance marathon generates goes a long way toward supporting the state.”
Shockley also reacted to the amount of money raised.
“I am overjoyed with the amount of money that was raised last night,” Shockley said. “It is truly a testament of the hard work that went into this event and of the dedication that these people have towards making a difference in Mississippi.”
Kate Brasher, a morale captain for RebelTHON and a junior allied health studies major, has been involved with RebelTHON for three years.
“The dance marathon felt unreal. It was such an emotional moment to see that we raised $272,616.06 for Children’s of Mississippi,” Brasher said. “This year was a record-breaking fundraising year. It brings me so much joy knowing how this money is going to help so many Miracle families.”
This record breaking year brings hope and excitement for many RebelTHONs to come. While this year’s event had 1,115 registered participants, the organization still hopes to bring in even more students in the future.
“After such an amazing year, it makes me super pumped for the next year,” Brasher said. “One goal is just to get more students involved with RebelTHON. We already have so many students that participate in RebelTHON, so imagine what a big difference we can make if we get even more.”
One of the main accomplishments of RebelTHON has been the funding of “The Family Room” at Children’s of Mississippi in Jackson, Miss.
“The Family Room gives the families of the Miracle kids a place to go do laundry, cook, watch TV, etc., while not having to leave the hospital,” Brasher said. “This year, RebelTHON fundraised for a school to be added in the hospital. RebelTHON is so important because even the smallest changes can make such a difference in a Miracle family’s life.”
Gough reiterated the importance of this event not only to the community, but to the state of Mississippi as a whole.
“Being Mississippi’s flagship university, Ole Miss has a direct responsibility to serve and contribute to the overall advancement of this great state,” Gough said. “RebelTHON is put on with Mississippi kids and families at the heart of what we do, so to be able to better them in any way possible is what we seek to accomplish. Saving a family a trip to Austin or Philadelphia when they can stay right at home is a cause I see as worth being a part of.”
See the video below for a special glimpse into the RebelTHON dance marathon.
Shot by Isabelle Frost. Edited by Will Jones
