Dancing for a Cause

By Andrew Garoppo '24, April 19, 2022

BomberTHON raises money for area hospital.

Attendees at BomberTHON were able to get moving for a good cause.

(Photo by Andrew Garoppo)

On April 10 at the Towers Marketplace, the student organization BomberTHON held its annual dance marathon charity event for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, in Syracuse, New York. Featuring games; performances by student groups such as Ithacapella, IC Unbound, and Premium Blend; and of course, dancing, the event raised $31,220.22.

The celebration was the concluding event of DIII Week, celebrating IC student-athletes. Earlier in the week, a spare change drive had also raised money for the hospital.

“I really like the cause, bringing the energy to get people to donate, and just having a fun time. As soon as I heard about it, I was definitely in,” said Dylan Raisch ’24, who, along with some friends, performed a synchronized dance at the event to keep the attendees pumped up.

Enthusiasm was sky high regardless of one’s dancing abilities.

“That’s obviously less exciting. This is our last big push to reach our goal. The funds we raise through BomerTHON really help local families. And much as we are students at IC, we are also members of this community.”

BomberTHON president Maddy Blomkvist ’22

“I’m not the best dancer though to be honest,” said Annebelle Shanley ’24. “But when I first committed to Ithaca College, one of the first things I heard about was BomerTHON and I thought it would be a great way to give back and be involved.”

One of the best elements of this year’s event was the in-person aspect, which returned after last year’s event went virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“A year ago, we were doing the same thing over zoom,” said club president Maddy Blomkvist ’22. “That’s obviously less exciting. This is our last big push to reach our goal. The funds we raise through BomerTHON really help local families. And much as we are students at IC, we are also members of this community.”

Another highlight of the event was the appearance of two children who receive care through Golisano hospital, Harper and Abbey.

The BomberTHON event raised $31,220.22 for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

(Photo by Andrew Garoppo '24)

“What you all are doing here makes it a lot easier for us to be there,” said Abby’s nurse, addressing the crowd. “You are amazing.”

After the final reveal shared the total raised, Blomkvist, almost in tears, spoke to an overjoyed crowd soon after.

“All these people coming together from all different parts of campus working towards a common cause is just so insanely rewarding,” she said. “I love and appreciate every single one of you so much. You are all a part of why we were able to pass our goal today.”