Eliminating the admission fee to this year’s Dance Marathon to benefit Turning Point Domestic Violence Services resulted in hundreds more students attending the event.
This was the first year that Turning Point Domestic Violence Services eliminated the $20 admission fee it used to charge for the dance marathon. Instead, every high school student in Bartholomew County was invited to attend the all-night party free of charge, according to Stephen Dishinger, Turning Point prevention team director.
While 457 students attended the 2019 event, a total of 715 high schoolers signed up to attend the 21st annual event Saturday night and Sunday morning at Central Middle School, said Turning Point Domestic Violence Services President Lisa Shafran.
While 18 registered teens were “no-shows,” this year’s turnout was still nearly 100 more than the goal — and almost 53% higher than last year, organizers said.
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“That’s exactly what we wanted to have happen by making this event free,” said Shafran, whose organization receives the proceeds from the event.
In addition, special efforts to attract more students this year from both Hauser and CSA New Tech high schools appeared to be successful, Shafran said.
While the name “Dance Marathon” suggests dancing is the main attraction, the event features a wide variety of activities for teens. The 10-hour event has often been compared to an after-prom party with plenty of food, prizes and contests. All-night activities included Gaga Ball (a variation of dodgeball), volleyball competitions, video game competitions, karaoke, face-painting, Zumba and crafts.
Organizers stress that while there is fun, this is a party with a purpose. At the top of each hour, there is a presentation in the gym where students discover ways to create healthy relationships in order to avoid dating and domestic violence, Shafran said.
Most of these presentations are interactive, which allows students to both participate and listen, the agency president said. A number of other activities held throughout the night, such as trivia games, also contained questions and answers relating to Turning Point’s mission and services, Dishinger said.
That mission is to work toward the prevention and elimination of domestic and dating violence. Turning Point’s services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing and legal assistance for victims.
Although admission was free, money was raised in other ways. Many of the 130 student organizers raised at least $100 a piece through their own unique fundraising efforts, the agency president said. Turning Point also benefits from individual and corporate donations, she said.
The total for this year’s event has not yet been tallied. Last year’s total was $144,500, Shafran said, and organizers don’t expect to reach that amount this year.
“We are going to have some challenges in making up for that revenue, but we thought it was just as important to attract as many students as possible,” Shafran said. “If we achieve the mission, we won’t need the income.”
Although the admission fee was waived, the teens were asked to bring specific household products that included body wash, Kleenex, deodorant, hair brushes and non-perishable food items to donate to Turning Point’s shelter. The agency ended up with 631 items for the shelter, Shafran said.
Among the most coveted prizes were three $2,000 scholarships awarded randomly at different times throughout the all-night party.
This year’s three scholarship winners were Emma Tynan of Columbus North High School, as well as two seniors from Columbus East High School: Kendall Schaefer and Abby Meier. Funds for these scholarships were raised during the Not-So-Newlywed Game charity fundraiser last fall.
Several expensive prizes such as televisions, Apple AirPods and Apple watches were awarded during some of the major games, organizers said. In addition, smaller prizes worth $20 to $60 were given away each hour.
Due to the changes, donations and contributions made by volunteers, individuals and companies were more important than ever, Shafran said.
“We couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.
The agency president also described the 21st annual Dance Marathon as an “outstanding, well-planned event executive by a very committed group of students.”
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To learn more about Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, visit turningpointdv.org.
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