Although the phrase is heard year around on UA’s campus, “For The Kids” is more vividly advertised during the spring semester. UA Dance Marathon is an annual fundraising event that lasts all year with the grand finale of a 10 hour, no-sitting-allowed, fun-filled and all-around good time. The Dance Marathon consists of dancing of course, entertainment, Miracle Kids from the hospitals, games and a college student’s favorite freebie: food and fellowship.

The official beneficiaries of the UADM funds go directly to the families undergoing and receiving treatment at Children’s of Alabama hospital in Birmingham, during their time of need in financial and emotional stability. These Dance Marathons stretch across the entire nation, benefitting individuals on personal levels as well as giving college students and high school students the ability to produce a student-run service project that instills the idea that service is FUN.

This year, UA students can get in on the action by donating, joining as a team member, and participating in recruitment week, which is February 23–27. Recruitment Week is a week primarily to get students and donors involved with the mission of raising funds with the beneficiaries in mind.

“Recruitment Week we will be having percentage nights every night of the week," Tristen Gell, a sophomore Phi Mu said. "Recruitment Week is a huge opportunity for the recruitment committee to go and speak at different events and meetings and get them to sign up for Dance Marathon.”

There is no monetary goal for this particular week, however the team is anticipating a great deal of support based on the wide variety of events that are set to occur during Recruitment Week.

“We will be releasing a video, having a Photo Booth at the Ferg, [and] spirit nights at a couple different restaurants," Nick Allen, Co-Director of Recruitment said. "There will hopefully a poker tournament Thursday, [and] a bar night Friday.” 

Panhellenic points are to be rewarded to Panhellenic members that attend spirit nights during the week of recruitment. Follow @_UADM on Instagram and Twitter, and like UADM on Facebook to stay informed on specific times and locations of events during UADM 2015 Recruitment Week. Register online to participate in the UA Dance Marathon event to be held on March 7, 2015. Remember, it is “For The Kids!”