Another year, another record: BobcaThon 2019 raises over $110,000

 

Rainbow lights illuminated the Baker University Center Ballroom as crowds of enthusiastic Ohio University students gathered to hear the results of a year’s worth of fundraising efforts: OHIO’s BobcaThon had made history once again, raising more than $110,000 to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

A 12-hour dance marathon, Ohio University’s fifth annual BobcaThon was held Feb. 16, capping off a year-long, student-led fundraiser designed to raise awareness for children with serious illness and their families, and to support a nonprofit organization that serves those families.

In its first four years, BobcaThon raised more than $233,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio, a nonprofit that provides families, including those in Southeastern Ohio, with housing, meals and other forms of support while their children battle serious illness in Columbus-area hospitals.

Last year’s BobcaThon set the bar high, raising a record-breaking $100,000 to help RMHC of Central Ohio provide its life-changing services free of charge. But OHIO Bobcats were up to the challenge, hosting events and partnering with local businesses and other supporters of the cause to raise a history-making $110,020.06.

“Through my major, I have seen that childhood illness affects all aspects of health, both mental and physical,” said Nicholette Pagan, a third-year student studying child and family studies with a child life concentration. Pagan was part of Alpha Delta Pi’s BobcaThon team. “Giving these families an easier living space for the kids to grow and develop is so important, and it’s why I participate in BobcaThon.”

During the 12-hour event, participants stayed active the entire time, dancing, playing games and hearing from families who have been served by RMHC of Central Ohio. Staying on their feet provided participants with a physical reminder of the exhaustion children with serious illness and their families face every day. A rally cry and source of encouragement throughout the event was “FTK”—“For The Kids.”

“I can only imagine what these kids go through,” said Riley Elliott, a first-year student majoring in psychology. “The fact that I can help with such little effort really means so much to me.”

In addition to setting a fundraising record, this year’s BobcaThon also set a record for participation amongst members of OHIO’s Sorority and Fraternity Life, with Ohio University’s chapter of Alpha Delta Pi raising the most money, a total of $5,906.

Here are some memorable moments from BobcaThon 2019:

Maura Anderson, morale captain of the Purple Team, performs a dance routine with other morale captains during the opening ceremony of BobcaThon 2019. Photo by Harley Wince, BSVC ’21

Ohio University students dance during the Rave Hour of BobcaThon 2019, held Feb. 16 in the Baker University Center Ballroom. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC ’20

Madison Shoff, an OHIO student majoring in biology and psychology, dances with fellow morale captains during the opening ceremony of Bobcathon 2019. Photo by Harley Wince, BSVC ’21

BobcaThon 2019 participants take a break from dancing for a quick selfie. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC ’20

Ohio University students join in circles before team contribution announcements are made at BobcaThon 2019. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC ’20

Members of BobcaThon 2019’s student leadership team announce the total raised for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio during this year’s fundraising efforts. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC ’20

Ryan Capal, an Ohio University senior and director of branding and marketing for BobcaThon 2019, hugs a fellow member of the event’s leadership team after hearing the total raised during this year’s fundraising efforts. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC ’20