UNO Dance Marathon Raises $70K to Support Children’s Nebraska

After 10 hours of dancing, games, flashing iridescent lights, and fundraising in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom, University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Dance Marathon secured a record total for the organization — $70,143.44 for Children's Nebraska.

“It makes all the difference to see the smiles on our Miracle Kids at our events and see the impact we make,” said Jenna Mullendore, president of the UNO Dance Marathon. “We are grateful to be able to continue our mission of changing kid's healthcare, while creating bonds and memories for a lifetime.”

Saturday night marked the ninth edition of OMAthon, capping a year of fundraising efforts that included student-targeted booths, selling teddy bears at Omaha hockey games, and even a pie in the face of the organization’s president.

This year, funds are supporting the Carolyn Scott Rainbow House, an organization that provides temporary housing for families while their child receives treatment at Children’s Nebraska.

Facing fatigue on a windy Saturday, hundreds of attendants including UNO students and impacted families pushed through the final hour of dancing, ending the night with a reveal of the amount raised. On stage, Dance Marathon members — surrounded by children impacted by illnesses— held up tote boards, each with a neon number that together showed the ultimate amount of money they raised.

UNO Dance Marathon (@unodm) is the most active student-run philanthropic effort on campus. Along with serving on a committee, members are active in planning fundraising for Children’s Nebraska throughout the year, as well as determining how their funds will be used.

Throughout Omathon, students essentially took over the Milo Bail Student Center. Teamed with miracle kids and their families, students played games, battled out in a lip sync contest and danced. This year's theme was Wily Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, which meant Oompa-Loompas and so much candy.

The hours were long. But they kept going, because they believed in the cause. They loved the Miracle Kids they helped, which included 11 sponsored by various campus organizations.

“I've found a great community of people and families and made connections that have changed my life and perspective,” Mullendore said.