North Dakota raises $1000 with inaugural Dance Marathon

The Alpha Tau Omega fraternity’s first dance marathon brought dozens of dancers together for prizes and a good cause. But participants were given a clear warning from the beginning: stop dancing at any time, and you’re out.

Brice Pinkowski, the fraternity’s chapter president, said they’ve done charity 5k runs in the past. But people in the Greek community were receptive to an hours-long dance marathon.

“We’re just trying to go for something a little different,” he said. The top three dancers won gift cards to the Sioux Shop, a couple’s massage or four rounds of golf.

Proceeds from the event went to Safe Kids Grand Forks, a charity focused on preventing injuries among young people.

Those incidents fall into a litany of categories, including vehicle-based accidents, fires and choking hazards. Safe Kids aims to reduce those types of accidents through educational classes, research and improving public policy, said Carma Hanson, the Safe Kids coordinator.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the dance raised more than $1,000.

The inaugural event comes after ATO was chartered by its parent organization in April. Organizers such as Tyler Titcomb hope the dance will become larger in the future.

Hanson lauded the group of students for their efforts.

“Here’s a group of young people who are doing something positive,” Hanson said.

*Original article credited to Grand Forks Herald: http://go.ato.org/1ib3m9K