Bedecked with beads, bandannas, and fanny packs, a team of Dance Marathon Hospital Committee members brought the “Big Event” from the IMU to the hospital.
Josh Schmit, a two-year-old patient, was enthralled both by the bevy of stickers offered by the Dance Marathon crew and by the pillowcase he painted. After decorating his protective helmet with an army of Scooby Doo and Mickey Mouse stickers, he slipped 3 bright green Dance Marathon bracelets on his wrist, one for each of his brothers.
Patients Caitlyn Clark and Kelly Suarez also enjoyed painting the pillowcases with Dance Marathon volunteers. Clark was assisted by UI senior Scott Peters.
Peters joined Hospital Committee members after winning a danceoff in the IMU with his signature backflip.
“I found my artistic side today,” he said, daubing paint over Clark’s pillowcase.
Both Clark and Suarez said they had been watching Dance Marathon on TV, and were eager to continue watching from an Internet feed.
Watching the interactions between her son and the volunteers, Josh Schmit’s mother, Kelly Schmit, said she appreciates the efforts of Dance Marathon’s hospital volunteers, especially their visits.
“It really brings [the patients’] spirits up,” she said.
