Video: Third annual ‘Raiderthon’ raises money for Middle Tennessee children’s hospital

Video by Nigel Shelly / Contributing Videographer

Photo and story by Cabarrius Frierson / Contributing Writer 

Middle Tennessee State University students and staff participated Thursday in the third annual “Raiderthon” in the MTSU Recreation Center to benefit a Middle Tennessee children’s hospital.

The annual fundraiser and dance marathon was established in 2015 by Kristen Perry, an MTSU senior. MTSU students help to host the event every year to raise money for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. Raiderthon is a part of a network of dance marathons that benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the nation. The event is free to the public for children and adults, but organizations and individuals who participate are asked to collect sponsors for the number of hours that they dance. There is also a silent auction held during the dance marathon that raises funds for the hospital.

Perry started Raiderthon her sophomore year at MTSU and said that she is always excited to help the children that the fundraiser benefits.

“I’m really passionate about the children’s hospital because I actually stayed in one as a child, and I want to do something to help,” Perry said. 

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Director of Operations Morgan Wright brings his wife and children to the event every year to experience the fundraising opportunity.

“I was here year one, and in year one, there might have been 10 people here,” Wright said. “To see it grow from where it was three years to now is really exciting.” 

This year’s event had over 100 people come out and enjoy the food, games and dancing. In the years that Raiderthon has been hosted, organizers have raised over $17,000 for children in Middle Tennessee. 

For more information on Raiderthon and how to get involved, visit here.

To contact News Editor Andrew Wigdor, email [email protected].

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