Marshall University’s second annual Thunder Dance Marathon raised $40,093.93 for a local children’s hospital.

The Thunder Dance Marathon is a student-run philanthropic event that raises money for the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital in Huntington.

Victoria Perri is the advisor for the Thunder Dance committee and was president of the committee last year. Perri kept the crowd moving during the 12-hour dance marathon and said all of the money goes directly to the children’s hospital.

“We’re doing this for the children at Hoop’s Family Children’s Hospital, to bring awareness and donations to the kids who are battling a chronic illness,” Perri said. “With the money from last year’s Thunder, we bought a Vecta Machine, which helps to distract the kids from what’s going on while they’re in the hospital.”

“The donations provide the kids with things that aren’t already at the hospital,” Perri said. “We can use the money for anything from big purchases to little purchases, such as gas cards for families, TVs, or even getting McDonalds for a patient going through chemotherapy.”

The line dance coordinator for the second year was junior nursing major Kristin Boyd. Boyd said her love of dancing and passion for nursing drove her to participate in Thunder Dance.

“Originally, whenever I heard of Thunder Dance I thought ‘oh I’m a dancer, I should do this,’” Boyd said. “I’m also in the nursing program, so this applies to what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

Boyd choreographed the entire line dance and taught it to participants at the beginning of the marathon. Dancers would perform the dance at the beginning of each hour throughout the night.

Thunder Dance committee members and participants were encouraged to come up with a reason why they were participating.

Thunder Dance participant Anthony Bady said after not getting to be at last year’s marathon, he could not miss out on this year.

“I dance for the kids and because this was an experience I missed out on last year,” Bady said. “As a person who likes to dance, I wanted to come out and try it this year.”

Over 200 Marshall University students spent 12 hours on their feet and dancing.

The dance floor was set up in the Cam Henderson Center. The marathon began 10 p.m. Friday and concluded 10 a.m. Saturday.

Baily Turner can be contacted at [email protected].