University of Central Florida students raised nearly $400,000 last weekend at the Knight-Thon dance marathon to benefit the Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
At the end of the 20-hour marathon, the Knight-Thon executive board revealed a fundraising total of $392,831.65, an increase of more than $140,000 from last year, said Katie Waser, communications director for the event. The marathon concluded at 8 a.m. Sunday in The Venue.
More than 750 students participated and hundreds of people from the community visited the fundraiser.
“I am so proud of all of the dancers and everyone who has contributed to Knight-Thon throughout the year,” said Chelsea Trynz, Knight-Thon’s student director. “We have proven that when hundreds of students come together and commit to a cause with all of their hearts, miracles can truly happen.”
The mission of Knight-Thon is to educate, inspire and unite the campus and community to provide ongoing support for the hospitals. The event is the largest student-run philanthropy at UCF.