The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate has finalized the teams for next month's Dance Marathon, and is in the midst of final preparations.
"We have approximately 40 teams registered," said Deborah Block, the Senate's Special Projects Committee chair, who has worked to organize the charity event.
According to Block, the Dance Marathon has raised approximately $2,500 so far. While the goal is $10,000, organizers are not worried about raising the remaining money.
"We're in no way worried at all," Block said. She explained that it is to be expected that most major fundraising and donations come in within the two weeks before an event because students are busy and it takes time to raise funds.
"I'm confident that a lot of money will come in [during] the days directly around the event," TCU President Neil DiBiase said.
"Over the next two weeks we'll definitely be encouraging teams to donate," Block added. There are various incentives offered to teams to fundraise more than the minimum, including T-shirts and water bottles.
The marathon will be held on April 4 in Cousens Gym. Money will go toward the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and parental neglect by educating and supporting parents.
After registering the approximately 40 teams, Block expects about 350 to 400 participants, including volunteers, to attend the event.
Dance Marathon will last from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., during which time at least half of each team's 10 to 12 members must be dancing at all points.
"We have a whole schedule that 12 hours," said Block. Three hours will feature music from Boston DJs GrooveBoston, who provided the entertainment at Fall Ball and Winter Bash.
In addition to GrooveBoston and four student DJs, there will be performances by student organizations like the Jackson Jills, an a cappella group.
"We also have non-dancing activities, which [will] be in Chase Gym," Block added. The planned entertainment in Chase will include a magician, portrait drawing, twister, ping pong, arts and crafts, a cotton candy machine and tentatively massages to "give people a break for a little bit."
Block said that compared to dance marathons at some other schools such as Penn State, the Tufts Dance Marathon is small. "A lot of the schools we've been comparing ... are all much bigger than Tufts, but I think generally, because this is the first year that we're doing it, I think it's understandable that we're on a much smaller scale," Block said.
Final preparations are currently being made for the marathon to make sure that all the participants are aware of the logistics of the event. "I think its 95 percent settled," he said. "Everything's pretty much planned."
Block said there is one final matter to deal with. "What we're working on now is really just food,"
she said.
Block added that it is important to have as much food donated as possible. "A lot of businesses around the area have been very generous,"
she said.
Additionally, the bookstore has donated merchandise for prizes and the bookstore's vendors have donated many cases of beverages.
"We'll have a really exciting night planned, so we're hoping people will want to stay there for the whole time," Block said.
