Marathon Dance benefits entire region
MOREAU, N.Y. >> The gymnasium is quiet this weekend and the excitement of another record-setting fundraising total has begun to wane from the 2019 South High Marathon Dance.
But its impact will be felt for months and years to come. The event – held last weekend – netted an amazing $837,859, which will be used to support a variety of area non-profit groups and individuals faced with serious medical conditions.
Some money will make possible much-needed home improvements for elderly, disabled local residents. It will also provide teddy bears for children whose military momor dad is being deployed overseas, and help kids with autism or Down syndrome learn how to ride a bike so they don’t feel left behind.
“We’re delighted that the Marathon Dance picked us,” said Patrick Hayslett, director of development at STRIDE Adaptive Sports in West Sand Lake.
This agency, partnering with Pennsylvania-based iCan Shine Inc., will hold a week-long “I Can Ride” bicycle camp at Union College from June 24-28.
“A lot of kids with autism or Down syndrome have balance and sensory problems,” Hayslett said. “The I Can Ride program fabricates and provides adaptive bicycles for them to use.”
During daily clinics, special equipment is gradually taken away without kids knowing it, so they can ride independently by the end of the week.
“They’re successful 80- 90 percent of the time,” he said. “For those who don’t catch on right away, we offer follow-up for the next week or two. This is a monumental achievement for these kids. Riding a bike is something a lot of us take for granted. We’ve had parents crying because their child is now able to do this.”
Money from the Marathon Dance is needed to fund the camp, which requires considerable staffing and equipment.
The Wilton-based non-profit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County provides critical home repairs and improvements for income- eligible residents. Last year, it had a handicapped-accessible ramp build at a local elderly woman’s home.
“We’re able to assist 10 to 12 people with money we get from the Marathon Dance,” Director Michelle Larkin said. “Last year we got $30,000. We mainly do projects in northern Saratoga County with money from the dance.”
The Ballston Spa non-profit, Buddy Blankets and Bears, donates blankets to local medical facilities, so they can give themto military veterans and adults who are going through treatments for cancer and/or chronic illness.
It also provides Buddy Bears to children with serious illness, or whose parents are away from home while serving in the military.
“We want the children to know they are not alone, they have friends within their community and around the country who support them,” the group’s website says.
Queensbury-based Upstate New York Autism Alliance uses Marathon Dance money to provide entire families with a fun, four- day Adirondack experience called Camp Ohana, the Hawaiian word for family, at Camp Jellystone in North Hudson.
“The Marathon Dance has really helped us grow this program,” said Kristin Howarth, Autism Alliance director. “Hopefully this year we’ll be able to add another five to 10 families.”
Activities include daily entertainment and family meals, and a chance for parents to meet and network with each other in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. Kids enjoy arts, the- ater and water sports plus movies each night.
“It’s a really cool program,” Howarth said. “We work hard to give kids these opportunities. We’re grateful to be chosen as a Marathon Dance recipient.”
A Marathon Dance student committee receives requests from dozens of applicants each year. Before each dance, students re- view requests and decide which ones to select.
Afterward, students also determine how much each recipient should get, depending on their respective needs.
Other groups and nonprofits slated to receive funding are Schuyler villebased Bridging People and Places, the Alzheimer Association, Angel Names As- sociation, Glens Falls Area Youth Center, Moreau Community Center, Strength in Numbers and The Open Door Mission.
Since its inception in 1978, the dance has now raised more than $8 million for worthy causes.
For more information including a complete list of this year’s recipients go to: shmd.org.