Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
UNI student raises money for children’s hospital
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — Though her family moved to Williamsburg only a couple of months ago, Bella Bateman is already feeling like part of the community.
A freshman at the University of Northern Iowa studying elementary education, Bateman set up a table at her family’s garage sale in Williamsburg in September to raise money for the Miracle Network Dance Marathon, an October fundraising campaign on college campuses to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
“She was able to make a donation of $34.57 on behalf of the people of Williamsburg,” said her mother, Jackie.
Last week Bella set up a booth at the Williamsburg Farmers Market and raised another $62. Bateman set up a game similar to the game show “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.” For a buck, a player could answer a question and win a prize.
UNI Dance Marathon is a student-led organization that raises money for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Dance Marathon raises money all year, said Bateman, and all money that is raised through UNI Dance Marathon is allocated to four areas at the hospital: research, education, equipment and enhancements.
Bateman said she came across a Facebook post for the Dance Marathon at UNI. Thirty teams on the campus are raising money for University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City, said Bateman.
A student who works with Bateman at the dining hall had a team, and Bateman joined his group.
Sophomores and juniors are team captains, said Bateman. “We have different events all year.” The finale of the fundraising in March includes 12 hours of dancing.
“I’ve always kind of liked doing volunteer work,” said Bateman. And she likes working with children. She’s worked at two day care facilities, she said.
Bateman hopes to visit children at Stead Family Children’s Hospital at some point during the campaign, she said. Dance Marathon students are given several opportunities to visit the hospital and see the impact of their fundraising.
