On October 3, 2022, Fontbonne University GriffinTHON team set an ambitious goal for their annual fundraising efforts around the nationally recognized Child Healthy Day. Not only did they surpass their goa, but they received national award and rankings for their program.
Fontbonne University GriffinTHON is a Miracle Network Dance Marathon program that is currently in its seventh year on campus – serving as the philanthropic organization that supports our two local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. This group works year-round to raise necessary funds and awareness for CMN and the families utilizing those services. Since it’s fruition, GriffinTHON has raised over $180,000 for Children’s Miracle Network of Greater Saint Louis.
Child Health Day is a nationally recognized holiday that recognizes and celebrates the philanthropic spirit associated with CMN, Children’s Health, and the families that are represented by those groups. Dance Marathon programs throughout the nation work to raise funds, register participants, and spread awareness of their cause to “change kids health, change the future.”
After raising $15,753.92 for the 2021 holiday, GriffinTHON set a lofty goal of raising $22,000 in for the 2022 holiday. “It was daunting to think about a $6K increase, but with so many new students coming in and so many great people joining our Morale Team, it was doable,” shared GriffinTHON President, Caitlin Keohane.
With a chosen theme of “Feelin’ $22K: Swiftly Saving Lives Cause Kids Can’t Wait,” the group utilized popular song hits and easter eggs to host programs and fundraising challenges all day. The group surpassed their goal, raising a grand total of $27,136.22 by the midnight cutoff. This record-breaking number shattered past-year’s single-day efforts and surmounted the total raised for the entire inaugural year in 2016-2017.
Miracle Network Dance Marathon also offers several national challenges for Child Health Day. This season, Fontbonne’s GriffinTHON received a three major recognitions on the national level. The group took first place in overall fundraising for the day in their respective tier (Universities and programs are split into tiers based on their previous-year’s fundraising efforts. This year, GriffinTHON was bumped into Tier 3 which includes schools that have raised $50K-$199K in their past year). The organization took second place nationally for fundraising efforts “Per Capita,” meaning percentage amounts brought in based on registered participants. Additionally, Caitlin Keohane was ranked as the top fundraiser in the nation for Child Health Day 2022; with Angel Cole placing in the top ten as well, and Annie McFee placing in the Top 20.
“I love that GriffinTHON is able to make such a splash on the national level. It’s wonderful to see this small community make big waves and change the lives of so many. I am so thrilled to see us take first place in our new tier! We were so scared of that because we just barely raised over $50K last year, so competing against giant state universities raising $199K was terrifying. But we pulled through – and I’ll never forget that rush.”
GriffinTHON Advisor and Sr. Director of Leadership and Community Engagement Joel Hermann added that, “This season has been something special for these student leaders. This past summer, they won a National Award for their Campaign Activation for Child Health Day 2021, and I could see the spark ignite in Caitlin’s eyes after that. I am beyond proud of the whole team – but ecstatic to see Caitlin claim the spot as Top Fundraiser in the nation! She, Angel, Annie and all the GriffinTHON participants should be celebrated by the entire community.”
“I cannot thank everyone that supported us on October 3rd enough,” Keohane said. “We couldn’t be successful without every member of this university community donating, sharing links, purchasing doughnuts or milkshakes – whatever it may be. We look forward to seeing you celebrating our whole year with us on April 15, 2023, for our Main Event!”
GriffinTHON has set a goal of $62,000 raised by April 15, 2023 – representing the 62 kids that enter a CMN Hospital every minute. Looking to support this group? Click here to donate to their cause!