FTK.
Chances are, you've probably heard or read "FTK" a million times, and you probably know that it means "For The Kids." But what does that really mean? What is the Dance Marathon movement, and why is everyone talking about it? Well don't worry; I'm here to hit you with some knowledge. I'm going to give you the basic rundown of this amazing student-run organization that is changing the world.
WHO:
Dance Marathon is a nation-wide network of college and high school students who are working for one common goal. These students are connected through something called the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), which is the organization that pairs up the campuses with CMN Hospitals around the country, and even in Canada. More than 250 schools are a part of the CMN network, and the numbers are steadily growing. Each Dance Marathon is entirely run by dedicated student leaders who are dedicated to the CMN cause.
WHAT:
Dance Marathon cannot be easily defined, because each campus brings a new meaning to it through their own organizations. However, the original Dance Marathon was started at Indiana University in 1991 as a way to raise awareness and funds for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. Since then, Dance Marathon has become a nation-wide event. The actual Dance Marathon lasts anywhere from six to 36 hours, depending on the campus, and serves as the main fundraiser for each campus's organization.
WHEN:
The "Big Event" may be only one weekend, but Dance Marathon as a whole is a year-round affair. As soon as one Big Event ends, the brainstorming begins for the next year. Each school will hold events throughout the year to raise awareness for their organization and to raise money, but the movement doesn't have a start or end date. Every day, Dance Marathon members are living and breathing FTK.
WHERE:
There are more than 250 schools participating in Dance Marathon across the country and in Canada, and CMN hopes to eventually have a Dance Marathon program on every college campus. There is strength in numbers, and these numbers have been steadily growing since 1991.
WHY:
This is the hardest question to answer in regards to Dance Marathon, because there isn't a singular answer. If you asked every single one of the Dance Marathon participants around the country,you could receive thousands of different answers. We dance for those who can't. We dance to give kids a chance at a real life. We dance to keep families together. We dance so that kids have a chance to grow up and give back. We dance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
For all of those reasons and more, all of the students in the Dance Marathon network volunteer countless hours of service to work towards a brighter future. The best part, though, is that this network is always growing. Every year, more and more people realize the power that this movement holds, and they want to be a part of it.
If you aren't already involved, talk to your school's Dance Marathon executive members and see what you can do to help. If you don't yet have a Dance Marathon at your school, visit http://dancemarathon.com/GetStarted to see how you can start making a difference.
Peace, love, and FTK.
