Every Spring Semester, Ohio University gives back to the community in a huge fundraising effort known as BobcaThon. It lasts for 12 straight hours, from noon to around midnight. Students from all walks of life participate in 12 hours of non-stop fun and dancing to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
While shaking and grooving to the music for 12 hours, there were other activities and ways to gather points for your team such as the "Hour of the Dancing Frog." The hosts of the event only played the very catchy, yet very “annoying,” frog song until they raised a certain amount of money. It was said that the song only played for about 10 minutes before the amount was raised.
There was also a photo booth and some ways to keep raising money. Raffles were entered and there was even an opportunity to buy sitting time since lying down would cost your team points.
The Ronald McDonald House is a center where parents of children with illnesses can reside without financial worry while their child receives the treatment needed. When staying at the Ronald McDonald house, families receive private bedrooms, home-cooked meals and playrooms for the children.
“Our houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child, not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal, or where they will lay their head at night to rest. We believe that when a child is hospitalized the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed,” said the Ronald McDonald center website.
Many sororities on campus raised money and participated in this remarkable event. Alpha Delta Pi, whose national philanthropy is the Ronald McDonald House, was there along with other women in Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Omicron Pi and Alpha Gamma Delta.
Not only did Greek life participate, they dominated. The women of Alpha Omicron Pi raised the second-most amount of money donated toward the event.
The overall event raised around $74,800. How remarkable is it that an event this size and proportion can take place at Ohio University and how lucky we are as a school and as the sorority and fraternity life community to be able to participate and make a difference in the lives of many families.
Erin Franczak is a sophomore studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Did you participate in BobcaThon? Let Erin know by emailing her at ef441614@ohio.edu.
