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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2005
unc dance marathon
Feb. 25-26
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184,872
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“Service is an essential mission of all universities. Chapel Hill is atrioddc
UNC EPITOMIZESS
BY KIRSTEN VALLE
STAFF WRITER
Long before Dance Marathon and UNC Habitat for
Humanity thrust public service into the campus spot
light, UNC established a commitment to serve, an obli
gation to act as a University of the people.
That commitment has evolved and expanded, but it
remains central to UNC’s mission, which states, “The
University exists to ... improve the condition of human
life through service and publication; and to enrich our
culture.”
Provost Robert Shelton said progress relies on public
service. “Steps forward ... happen because we interact
with others,” he said. “Service is a way of interacting.”
Over the years, service has assumed a tangible form on
campus. The Carolina Center for Public Service, created
in 1999, arose “out of the feeling that wonderful things
were happening across the University, but there was not
a cohesive unit,” said Director Lynn Blanchard.
“Public service is an integral part of this University,”
she said.
The center works closely with campus groups, includ
ing two of the most visible: Dance Marathon and UNC
Habitat.
“The important thing about both of those events is
that it is not just the event, but the work done all year
leading up to it,” Blanchard said. “The events really per
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Participants in the Dance Marathon, a 24-hour fund raiser for the N.C. Children's Hospital, kick off the event Friday. The
about $184,872 this year and also donates money to the For the Kids Fund, which helps pay for expenses not covered by medical insurance.
Donations enrich lives of
children battling diseases
BY SARAH SCHWARZ
STAFF WRITER
The automatic doors of the N.C. Children’s Hospital swoosh
open, and Regina Samulski strides through in a bright blue T
shirt with the word “dancer” across the back, a souvenir from last
year’s Dance Marathon.
This day, like each before it, has been a long one for Regina, a
senior in high school. She wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to begin her treat
ment, takes two different medicines, grabs breakfast and makes it
to school on time for class.
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 7,
Regina always has fought to be just like every
one else, said her mother, Theresa Samulski.
Regina and her family have been involved
with Dance Marathon since it began at UNC
in 1999. They have seen the sixth-floor video
game station and the less quantifiable benefits
of the money raised by the marathon.
“As the parent of a child who’s been in and out
of the hospital, I sense that many people expect
it’s no big deal. You start to get the feeling that
no one cares anymore,” Theresa explained. “But
then there are people who are willing to stand
on their feet for 24 hours for families like us.”
Alison Ross, chairwoman of the hospital
committee, has come to know the Samulskis
and has become their official family buddy.
“We really value our relationships with the
families because it’s all about the kids,” she said.
At 5 p.m. Saturday, many of the families who have been aided
by donations from Dance Marathon took center stage at the event.
To Ross, it is the most gratifying hour of the 24-hour event. “It’s
the best time to me it reaffirms everything you’ve been through
for the past 22 hours,” she said.
Regina has experienced the family hour from a different perspec
tive. “Every year at family hour, it’s really touching to look out into
the crowd and see most people with tears in their eyes,” she said.
Of the more than SIBO,OOO Dance Marathon raised this year,
70 percent will be passed on to social workers, who decide based
on established standards where the donation should be spent.
The rest will be used on projects endorsed by the entire Marathon
sonify what Carolina students can do.”
Dance Marathon fulfills UNC’s mission to serve by
helping people across the state, said Overall Coordinator
Julia Shalen.
“The (N.C. Children’s) Hospital supports the whole
state,” she said. “We are given the chance to help those
people.”
This year, the Marathon raised about $184,872. Since
its inception seven years ago, it has collected more than
$850,000.
As the largest student fund-raising organization on
campus, Dance Marathon uses many volunteers, Shalen
said. Members of the overall committee devote about 15
hours per week, while other volunteers contribute any
where from one day per year —as dancers to 10 hours
per week, she said.
“It is definitely worth it,” she said. “I wouldn’t do it
if it wasn’t.”
UNC Habitat also personifies UNC’s mission to serve.
“It is absolutely necessary for students to be involved in
public service,” said Jessica Jerald, community outreach
coordinator.
“Oftentimes, students are solely involved in academic
work. It’s important to be well-rounded and give back
to the community.”
The more than 2,000 students registered in UNC
Habitat raise money and build houses for the less fortu-
committee, Ross said.
That 30-percent portion is called the For the Kids Fund, and
it helps with costs not covered by medical insurance. In the past,
proceeds have helped families pay phone bills or occasionally sub
stitute hospital food with a Wendy’s hamburger - something for
which Rosetta Risinger is thankful.
Risinger s daughter, 13-year-old Amanda Morphis, is in and out
of the hospital so often for her cystic fibrosis treatment that she
gets tired of the hospital food. Funds raised by the Marathon paid
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Her favorite subject in school might be
anatomy, but she doesn’t plan to be a doctor Regina said she
already has spent enough time in hospitals.
Sally Pinon, in attendance at Dance Marathon to support families
who have been helped by the fund, said she was pleased to see so
many students there. She also went to N.C. State University’s mara
thon earlier this month and was impressed with the support there.
“This is the one time that it doesn’t matter if you go to N.C. State
or UNC, everyone’s hearts are in the same place.”
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nate locally and intematiohally bn 1
Honduras, said Blitz Build Cobrdii
Habitat is a really well-known o
said. But also, it’s a physical acth
doing something tangible, to help
just raising money.”
Despite the visibility, of Dance
Habitat, other campus wgapizatu
mitted to service, Blanchard said.
I hate to name any because’ vo
leaving out a great
Of the nearly 600 student 6rgai
about 50 identify themselves as sei
One such group is APPLES
Program, which incorporates pel
work. Public higher education is
support,” said Assistant-Director!
This is a wonderful way to give
that has been very supportive of us
UNC is ahead of other area univ
ment, said John Barnhill,, executive
Carolina Campus Compact, a aoalii
university presidents and chancello
port community service.
“Service is an essentiahnjssion <
said. “Chapel Hill is a model cam
mission.”
for a meal from Wendy’s for Amanda.
Inside the hospital, contributions have
helped establish a video-game station, movie
rentals on every floor and a playroom.
All of these improvements have given
children like Regina a sense of hope again.
She checks into the hospital for three to four
weeks each year to receive treatment, leav
ing behind school work, marching band,
Habitat for Humanity and her social fife.
Regina handles the disruption without
a glitch. “I jump right back in,” she said.
Her involvement with Dance Marathon
has made Regina excited about the pros
pect of college. “I’ve met a bunch of col
lege-aged people and been able to hang
out with them and find out what college
life is like,” she said.
Staff Writer Allison Rose
contributed to this article.
Contact the Features Editor
atfeatures@unc.edu.
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