Dance Marathon, Bike for Tikes raise more than $250,000

Money from the events goes to Mercy Children’s Hospital

The 24th annual Dance Marathon raised a total of $255,179.28, including $179,032.05 at ZiggyThon and $76,147.23 from Bike for Tikes from April 12-14. These philanthropic efforts by Bowling Green State University students benefit Mercy Children’s Hospital, which is part of the Children’s Miracle Network. This brings the 24-year total of donations to more than $5 million.

More than 250 dancers participated in the 24-hour dance event in the Perry Field House, while 80 cyclists set out to bike 180 miles — Cincinnati to Bowling Green — in three days.

This is the 19th year for Bike for Tikes, the only collegiate-level philanthropic ride of its kind.

“Participating in Ziggython and Bike for Tikes is a life-changing experience. I thank everyone involved this year and encourage students, faculty and staff to attend or participate next year,” said Alex Stroh, 2018-2019 Dance Marathon director and senior visual communications technology student. “We are making a big difference by raising much-needed funds that directly benefit our region’s littlest patients. You don’t have to be a superhero to make a difference.”

Money from Dance Marathon is donated to Mercy Health Children’s Hospital in Toledo. The hospital will use the funds toward several different initiatives, including expanding the autism center and remodeling the pediatric diagnostic center.