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Contact: University Communications & Marketing
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
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Miracle Marathon another success
March 18, 2005
CARROLLTON,
GA - Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “It is one of the most beautiful
compensations in life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without
helping himself.” Although they did not receive any monetary payment,
over 150 participants at the University of West Georgia’s Miracle
Marathon received a lesson in life they won’t soon forget.
The
4th Annual Miracle Marathon raised an astounding $34,220 for the Children’s
Miracle Network and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s
grand total is the highest to date — the largest amount prior to
this year was $23,000.
Amber Aiken of Pendergrass, student director of the event, said, “Rolling out the final total raised by the 2005 Marathon executive council was a wonderful moment, because raising over $34,000 for these children that desperately need medical assistance made all of the year long efforts and dedication 100 percent worthwhile.”
The event lasted for 12 hours that passed quickly for participants who were paired up in teams and competed in games, learned dances and made crafts. Members of the Georgia Force cheerleading squad, a cheerleader from the Atlanta Falcons, UWG’s SoulStar, Extreme Cloggers and Zac Brown, a well-known musician from Carrollton, provided some of the day’s entertainment.
But perhaps the most compelling moments came when patients and families told about their experiences at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The testimonies brought tears, offered thanks and gave everyone a renewed sense of hope and a new outlook on life.
Charlotte Maumus of New Orleans, a first-year participant representing Recruiting Emerging Alumni Leaders (R.E.A.L.), said the Marathon was very heart-warming.
“I really enjoyed not only the activities, but hearing the stories
and seeing the kids. It showed you how strong these kids are and makes
you want to be strong for them. Taking 12 hours out of your day is nothing
compared to what these kids go through every single day,” Maumus
said.
Aiken commented on what she described as “an amazing experience
for me.”
“The Marathon is a special event in that it unites students and participants from many diverse backgrounds and organizations under one amazing cause — saving the lives of children,” she said.
According to Aiken, in addition to the Marathon day itself, the executive council and adviser worked hard year-round to make the 2005 Miracle Marathon more successful than ever.
Fundraisers included numerous toll roads (raised about $500-$800 each), a silent auction (raised over $2,500), a golf tournament (raised over $1,500), and a pancake dinner (raised over $600).
Other effort that demonstrated the students’ commitment to the project included selling red bracelets printed with “For the Kids!,” selling CMN paper balloons, working at Bruster's for Scoop Night and earning a percentage of the profits, selling Bruster's Coupon Books, collecting change, and sponsoring the Mr./Ms. Miracle Marathon contest.
“While I am sad that the event has come and gone, I am excited to see all the possibilities that are available to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta with this donation,” Aiken noted. “I am also excited to see the growing future of the Miracle Marathon, and I hope that with each passing year more and more students will become involved with a cause as meaningful as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Children's Miracle Network.”
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