Riley Story: Clare Scheller

Shifts!

What’s New in Fundraising?

Spring and Summer Events

The shifts were a success: fewer students had health related difficulties after the Marathon, and they were able to spend the rest of the weekend that that they were not dancing catching up on sleep and homework. Students also felt that the shortened time kept them focused on the task at hand and the Riley kids. They were able to direct their energy more towards dancing and interacting with the kids than themselves. Below, are two excerpts from a 19-hour dancer and a 36-hour dancer.

19-Hour Dancer

As a first time dancer I was extremely nervous about being at IUDM for the entire 36 hours. It seemed so overwhelming and something that honestly I didn’t know if I could do. I heard about the 19 hour shifts and knew it was the perfect option for me. After being at the marathon for 19 hours, I knew that I wanted to be a part of IUDM for the rest of my college career. Even though I wasn’t there for the entire 36 hours, I truly felt like I participated in something great and got the full experience of the marathon.

Emily Poindexter

36-Hour Dancer

Dancing the full 36 hours was definitely a challenging endeavor, but it is one I would recommend to everyone because it brings a great sense of accomplishment and pride with it. I had the opportunity to do something very special for these kids who deserve this event and so much more. I really feel like this experience has changed the way I look at the world. Not only did I become closer to my friends, whom I signed up with, but I also met so many new friends who I can’t wait bond with more.

Matt LaSuer

Want to see photos from the 2011 Marathon?
Be sure to check out our Facebook page.

APRIL

Ashley Walk- April 13th
Kirkwood’s Rocking for Riley- April 14th

JUNE

Golf Outing June 2nd

SEPTEMBER

IUDM Indianapolis Gala- September 29th

OCTOBER

THE MARATHON- October 26th

Stay Connected!
Don’t miss out on receiving information about these upcoming events! Add/update your correct mail and email address by visiting www.alumni.indiana.edu/together/directory

IUDM is currently organizing a matching program for alumni to reconnect with the dancers. This fundraising program will allow alumni to match a portion of a dancer’s total. Alumni relations will work with graduates to pair them with a dancer and whom they can follow throughout the fall and help them with reaching the total. More information will be coming out soon regarding this endeavor, but below is an example of potential dancer that alumni can sponsor, and remember you can always donate directly through www.iudm.org

For the past two years, I have heard how IUDM is a life changing experience for so many people. I cannot wait to finally be a part of it. Next year, I will be dancing with my pledge class during the marathon and I know that will be something we all will remember and cherish forever. I think the concept of so many young adults coming together to raise money and awareness for the children of Riley Children’s Hospital is great and I can’t wait to say that I was a part of it.

Macey Moreland
(Chi Omega)

IUDM Endowment

Indiana University Dance Marathon is a rapidly emergent organization that has seen unprecedented growth in both popularity and donations over the last few years. It is important for organizations to ensure stability and sustainability even when the economy is good and donations are on the rise. This helps ensure that the future will continue to be prosperous.

The Indiana University Dance Marathon Alumni Board therefore created an endowment through the IU Alumni Association to help cover operating expenses for the student organization. This endowment will eventually allow 100% of donations to IU Dance Marathon to go directly to those most in need at Riley Hospital for Children and ensures the longevity of Indiana University Dance Marathon. Your gift to the IUAA IUDM endowment will provide long-term support to save lives and ensure perpetuity of IU Dance Marathon.

To support the IUAA IUDM endowment fund, click HERE.

Thanks,
Molly Giles
President, IUDM Alumni Association

I still have a long way to go, as I’m still dealing with many various complications and side effects from being as sick as I was. My mom and I make the four-hour drive to Indianapolis from our home in Evansville to receive chemotherapy once a week. Like many other cancer patients, I am often admitted to the oncology floor at Riley for weeks at a time for the occasional fever or infection. I’m looking forward to the day I will be done with chemo and want to eventually run on a prosthetic leg.

Something positive that has come from all of this is that I have the opportunity to share my story with others and raise awareness about the importance of Riley Hospital for Children. The Indiana University Dance Marathon allows me to do just this. It is such an amazing, life-changing event that I am so lucky to be involved in. It means the world to me to see all the many IU students act passionately towards a great cause like Riley. IUDM is a testament to the fact that young people can make a huge difference.

Julie Troyer
President, IUDM Executive Council

I would like to start off by thanking you all for your support of the 2011 IUDM over the past months. This organization has, quite obviously, shown tremendous growth each year and much of this is due to our strong alumni support system. We are grateful for you supporting our mission of helping the children at Riley Hospital.

In the past few months we have had a great deal of activity in preparation for all of our upcoming events. We kicked off the year with over 800 applicants for committees. Following selections we got an immediate start into our year with our 3rd annual IUDM Prom. It proved to be a huge success when the tickets for the event sold out in less than 1 day. Now committees are preparing for Ryan and Ashley week, Kirkwood’s Rockin’ for Riley, the Amazing Race, and of course our annual Golf Outing.

The IUDM Executive Council would like to invite you all to be a part of our annual golf outing on June 2nd. We also encourage you to save the dates of our annual Gala on September 29, and of course the Marathon itself on October 26-28. Director of Alumni Relations, Chris Williams, will be in touch with you all regarding RSVPs and details for the weekend. If you have any updates to your contact information, please email Chris at williamschristian392@gmail.com.

Again, thank you all for your dedication to this organization. You are a large part of why IUDM is a truly special, inspirational organization. Take care and we hope to see you in October.

FTK – RW – ALC,

Julie Troyer
President
IUDM Executive Council