“It should be a really fun day,” Sorg said.  “People are going to be out volunteering, and they can come back and just have fun at the dance marathon, kind of like detox from all that hard work, and get their boogie on.”   

The idea for the dance marathon came from graduate student Harley Rohrbacher.  Rohrbacher pitched the idea to the members of Pay It Forward during a meeting, and the idea was immediately accepted.  Rohrbacher completed her undergrad at Bowling Green State University where she became involved in several extracurriculars, including her school’s campus activities board, homecoming committee and TEDx Pittsburgh.  She currently studies Intelligence and Global Security at Point Park. 

“I have experience planning events, which is kind of why I felt pretty comfortable helping them get this [off] the ground,” Rohrbacher said.  “I’ll be leaving next year hoping that after this initial test run that they can keep it going.”

Rohrbacher has been delegating tasks, overseeing the girls of Pay It Forward and running weekly meetings.   She is ensuring the event will run smoothly, although she gives most of the credit to the girls.  Maia Gilmour, Alyssa King and Cassie Crisp are three members of Pay It Forward, who will be participating as dancers. 

“If we can start a legacy that lasts here on campus and continues for years to come, and they keep raising money for these kids, that’s what I really want to get out of it,” Rohrbacher said. 

The club is working with the United Student Government to hold this event during Pioneer Community Day.  The event will be 12 hours of nonstop dancing, zumba, food and music.  Dancers must face the challenge of standing for the full 12 hours.  The club hopes to raise $4,000-$5,000 through dancers who sign up online.  Teams do not need a sponsor to participate.

Pay It Forward played a video for its members to show the success of Penn State’s THON event.  Students gained inspiration from the biggest dance marathon event there is.  Crisp and King, both sophomore SAEM majors and members of Pay It Forward, will be dancing in the event as well as assisting with promotions. 

Both students know the struggle of a family member battling cancer. Although their family members were not children, the sickness still made an impact on their lives. 

“I’m excited to help the children,” Crisp said.  “I’m also excited to have our school and our club come together as one and not only help the children and raise money, but actually bond.”

King encourages students to register by either joining a preexisting team or creating their own.

“We just hope that a lot of people come out and support,” King said.  “ We couldn’t do it without the college.”

The club will host a fundraising event Feb. 22 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chipotle in Market Square.  Half of all purchases made during this time period will be donated to Pay It Forward’s dance marathon.

Anyone wishing to register for this event can visit the Pay It Forward’s Facebook page or events.dancemarathon.com/event/pointparkdm.  Students are able to register until April 1 and asked to donate $20.  Anyone wishing to attend future Pay It Forward meetings can do so every Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. in Academic Hall 301.

Rohrbacher witnessed Bowling Green’s dance marathon, which donated money to Mercy Children’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.  

 “I saw the effect on a lot of people I knew at Bowling Green and they become like a family with these miracle kids,” Rohrbacher said. “You see the changes in them, you watch them grow, and I see these people crying when they see the total reveal of how much they raised for the hospital. We can make that kind of impact here in the city and help these local kids.”