Missouri State University students raised $26,431 for the local Children’s Miracle Network in 12 hours during its third annual Dance Bear-A-Thon. The event, held Oct. 2-3 from 7 p.m.-7 a.m., involved more than 300 dancers who spent the night dancing, talking, eating, playing various activities associated with different hourly themes and hanging out with “Miracle Kids.”

“These kids are the reason that students voluntarily went without sleep and stayed on their feet for the entire 12 hours,” said Andrew Keaster, senior cell and molecular biology major. “The success of this event relies on the money raised through pledges from family and friends, corporate sponsors and the support of the community.”

Each year, Springfield’s Children’s Miracle Network helps hundreds of thousands of kids with special medical needs. Participating in Dance Bear-A-Thon is one way in which college students can get involved and show their support to these kids.

Over the three years of the Dance Bear-A-Thon, Missouri State has raised $63,577 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

For more information about Missouri State’s Dance Bear-A-Thon, check it out online at  or contact Andrew Keaster at keaster4@live.missouristate.edu.

Filed Under: community · dance bear-a-thon · fundraising