Fayetteville-Manlius High School students were ecstatic when they learned their annual Dance Marathon fundraiser garnered $100,000, which will help send more than 100 children affected by cancer to a special summer camp operated by Camp Good Days and Special Times.
The school’s 27th annual 12-hour Dance Marathon fundraiser took place March 18 at F-M High School. The event featured student bands and performances, as well as games and activities. It was the final fundraiser for the campaign, which raises money to send children whose lives have been impacted by cancer to the camp, located on Keuka Lake.
Members of F-M High School’s student council organize the event each year and choose Dance Marathon MCs (masters of ceremony) after auditions earlier in the school year. While each student dancer is required to donate a minimum of $50 to participate in the event, many students raised much more, some by going door-to-door in the community to secure donations.
Donors were also able to make online contributions, and donations were made directly to Camp Good Days in the name of F-M. Local businesses also contributed to the student driven campaign.
It costs about $800 to send a child to camp, and many students aim to meet or exceed that amount. Last year’s campaign raised $82,768 for the camp, and in its 27 years of fundraising for the nonprofit organization, F-M High School has donated more than $1 million total.
