UADM 2015

      Well, that wraps up another amazing year! This year UADM set a goal to raise $100k! We knew it would be a challenge, but we more than welcomed it. It was a busy year of fundraising and collaborating  for the organization.  
       We kicked off   the year with  posting all over social media "Dare to say..." . In a couple days we would reveal to the campus what our fundraising goal for the year would be. For the reveal we had big cutouts of $100k on the quad by the library  to start our Dare To Say $100k campaign. We definitely caught the attention of all students that passed by that day. 
       On October 13, 2014 we had our first recruitment week of the year!  Working hard at the ferg and also the rec center to inform students and also get people signed up for the Big Event!  You definitely could not miss us that week when we raced around the quad in cardboard box cars, mustaches and dresses. The staff dressed up as Mario characters and we had our very own Mario Kart Race on the quad!
      The first week on November 2014 we competed with LSU's Dance Marathon to see who could raise the most money in just one week. Loser would have to sing the other school's fight song and record it and the winner got to play that video at their dance marathon and have bragging rights for the year. During the week we worked hard tabling at the ferg, posting all over social media, selling merchandise, partnering with local restaurants for fundraiser nights, selling sweet treats and even pieing an "LSU fan" to raise funds.  Saturday we rejoiced when  the numbers were totaled and found out we had beat LSU! UADM had raised $16, 330.06 and LSU had raised $11,114.28!  This week inspired and motivated all of staff. If we could raise  over $16,000 in one week we could definitely raise $100k by 9 pm on March 7, 2015!
        We did not stop  fundraising and recruiting after  Beat LSU Week. UADM continued raising awareness and  receiving donations.  We got to skype and even go to some of our Miracle Kids soccer games, made Christmas cards for the patients at Children's of Alabama and continued working towards our goal of $100k and preparing for March 7. 
         January came around and we were back to school ready to raise more FTK! In February  we made cards for the patients at Children's of Alabama for Valentine's Day. We also gave out (Hershey) kisses to raise awareness about UADM.  On February  5-6 , 2015 launched our first 48 hour fundraiser called Miracle Mania. Our goal was to raise $20k in two days! It was bold, but we were ready to do it FTK. For those 48 hours we collected donations, registered students for the Big Event, sold merchandise and we fundraised our hearts out. We gave it our all and on February 7 the total was released.. We had raised $24, 152.67 in 48 hours! It was one of the greatest feelings and we were amazed that we could surpass our goal by $4,000! Now we had exactly one month until the Big Event!
         On March 7, 2015 we made history and raised a six figure total.  This year we had some new additions to our dance marathon. We had a stellar DJ and to help our fundraising efforts  we created a "jail". You could donate money to have your friend put in jail and they would have to donate or find someone to donate for them to get out. The event was full of music, dancing, games, Miracle Stories, food and fundraising. At 9 pm that night everyone nervously looked up at the stage and waited for the grand total to be revealed. No matter what the total we were UADM and we were making miracles. One by one executive members raised up a number until it revealed the final total. We had reached our goal! All the sudden, two people were told to trade places because that was not the real number. When the two had switched the grand total of $128, 702.06 was shining on that stage. You could hear the excitement and feel the overwhelming happiness that filled the gym. Not only did we meet our goal, but we beat it by $28,000! Dance Marathon made an impact and inspired all who attended. To know you are saving lives and making miracles is the greatest feeling. Thank you to everyone who supported UADM and helped us to surpass our goal of $100k. We cannot wait to start working towards UADM 2016! FTK!