(Owen Corrigan/The Fordham Ram)
By Theresa Schliep
From noon to midnight Saturday, students at Fordham Dance Marathon (FDM) danced to a grand fundraising total of $91,869.75, eclipsing last year’s total by more than $30,000. Residence Halls Association (RHA) hosted its annual event to fundraise for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a foundation that supports children and families suffering from pediatric cancer.
This was both the fourth year of the event and the fourth year in which RHA saw fundraising numbers increase. They beat their fundraising goal of $70,000.
FDM was the conclusion of Philanthropy Month, a month long series of events to fundraise for the B+ Foundation that involved Beer Tasting, The Auction and a Joe McDonough speaker event.
Loschert Hall was the top fundraising dorm, with a fundraising total of $10,356. The top fundraiser also came from Loschert: Jacklyn Onody, FRCH ’20, Vice President of Loschert Hall, fundraised $7,755. Onody said she was fortunate to have been so involved with FDM as a freshman.
“Being a part of FDM was enjoyable and I look forward to continuing to participate throughout my years at Fordham,” said Onody. “I hope more people get involved in this terrific club”
The money raised will help over 70 children and families in need, according to Haley Hauge, GSB ’18, RHA’s vice president. Hauge said she was worried last year’s total would ultimately prove to be their greatest fundraising year, but she was wrong.
“For the last three years, FDM has surpassed its goal tremendously and to be able to continue that tradition this year was such an accomplishment for everyone who helped plan and execute FDM,” said Hauge. “Last February, I genuinely was worried that Fordham’s fundraising for The B+ Foundation may plateau after achieving $61,000 – luckily, my initial fears were far from accurate.”
Emma Bausert, FCRH ’16, president of RHA, felt the success of the event was “indicative of the work put in– all of the kids.”
“Over the last four years, I have had the honor of watching this event grow from its beginning stages,” said Bausert. “I am proud to be part of an event larger than myself, and am excited to see where FDM and the Series go in the coming years.
FDM’s 12 hour event included performances from the Satin Dolls, Expressions and B+ Sides; a magic show, provided by Bausert’s father; contests like limbo and rowing; and an hourly choreographed morale dance.
Carly Bergstein, program director at The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, said this year hallmarked the event’s growth from its inception in 2013.
“This year has been amazing in terms of growth in every way: whose participating, number of events, number of dollars raised,” said Bergstein. “We couldn’t be more appreciative and supportive of the fordham students and it’s really special to see everyone having fun and celebrating their hard work.”
