As a young person in the world we live in today I am often baffled by the quarrels and fighting that take place throughout the world and by those who are "older" and "more experienced" than I am. Specifically, the time that is spent by people saying that the youth of America today do not understand what it means to "work for a living" and that everything is always given to them.
When I began my journey into my future career as a Higher Education Professional I was told that I would be advising a group called Dance Marathon. At the time I knew nothing about the organization or the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation which it supported. As time went on I found out that this group had been putting on the same annual event for 10 years, and that in those years they had raised just under $200,000 for the foundation. An incredible accomplishment in itself when you consider the fact that this group is completely operated by students with little help from some Staff Advisors.
As we began planning for the event it became clear to me that I would not be doing much actual work with this organization. Instead I would be standing on the sidelines, watching this wonderful group of students work towards a goal of $30,000 for this years event, the highest goal ever set for one Dance Marathon at Baldwin-Wallace.
After months of planning, fundraising and spreading the word about Dance Marathon, over 100 students gathered in the Student Activities Center to stay on their feet dancing for 12 hours straight. Now you may think "big deal they are attending a dance for en extended period of time, so what?" but I can tell you that you would be dead wrong. The students involved put together themed hours, educational programming, speakers, Zumba, and a host of other things for this event. They rallied together to really understand the cause that they were supporting. 9 Pieces of the AIDS Memorial Quilt were brought to B-W and the students involved are creating 8 more panels to be dedicated to Elizabeth and Ariel Glaser.
We started fundraising in November. Through online donations, selling candy bars and coupon books and just going out and asking for donations, the students involved in this amazing organization we able to not only reach their goal of $30,000, but surpass it and together raised a grand total of $36,819.25 for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. That money will help 1,841 women receive the medicine they need to ensure that they do not pass the AIDS virus onto their children.
So every time I hear some person complaining about the "Youth of America Today," I will stop and think of these amazing students who instead of spending all of their time drinking, getting into trouble and complaining that things don't go their way, took the time to fight for a global cause that will help so many people live better lives.
To all the students involved with Dance Marathon, YOU are ROLE MODELS and don't ever forget the impact that you have made on this world because the mothers and children who you have helped, although they may never meet you, will cherish the gift of life that you have given them forever. You have made me so proud to have been able to share this experience with you, and it is something that I promise you I will never forget.
Sincerely,
A Proud Advisor
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