UWG News Archive

Miracle Marathon looking for volunteers

November 2, 2004

CARROLLTON, GA - Volunteers are needed for the 2005 West Georgia Marathon to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and Children’s healthcare of Atlanta.

This is the fourth marathon and will held at the University of West Georgia in the spring. Last year, participants raised more than $23,000 to donate to Children’s Miracle Network and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The Marathon solicits University of West Georgia students to participate by having volunteer-dancers raise money by securing donations and pledges in advance. The 2005 Marathon Executive Council — made up of UWG student volunteers — will help the volunteer fundraisers and create letters throughout the year that will help each participant acquire the allotted amount of money needed.

And one hundred percent of those funds will stay local to benefit hospitalized kids in your community. But don't think the Marathon is exhausted dancers draped over each other. It's music, food, entertainment, excitement, and yes, even some tears, said Jennifer Wicker, spokesperson for this year’s campaign.

“The Marathon is a 12-hour fundraiser that is like a large carnival. We play games and have entertainment and eat,” Wicker said. “We also interact with the children we’re trying to help. It can be a life changing event.”

Children's Miracle Network — the alliance of premier hospitals for children — is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids by raising funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America. Each year these non-profit hospitals provide the finest care, research and community outreach to help millions of children with diseases and injuries of every kind.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Children's Miracle Network has grown dramatically since its founding in 1983, from a televised fund raiser in a small studio to one of the world's leading children's charities working to save and improve the lives of millions of children each year.

The 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals are there 24 hours a day to help kids of every age and background overcome every imaginable disease and injury-from asthma and broken bones to cancer, sickle cell anemia, pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy and serious injuries.

For information about the 2005 West Georgia Marathon to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network call 770 836-6526 or come by the UWG Student Activities Room 200 of the UCC. You can also contact; Amber Aiken, director of the event at stu29906@westga.edu.

-30-