Jam For A Cause raises $318 for The Children's Hospital in Macon

January 12 saw Mercer favorites The Dirty Sound Professors and The Tarlatans from South Carolina pack the house at The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom for Dance Marathon and Children’s Miracle Network.
While it was a free show, Dance Marathon received donations at the door. After all was said and done, $318 was raised for Dance Marathon. There was a raffle for everyone who donated money, and each person who donated received a drink koozie. There was also no cover charge, ensuring that anyone who wished to attend the free concert could.
The Tarlatans hail from Clemson, S.C. and have grown to fame by covering such bands as The Avett Brothers and The Black Keys. They label themselves as Folk and Americana music and are comprised of Taylor McCleskey, Ryan Williams, Jimmy Denneny, Eric Mixon, and Blake Shorter.
The Tarlatans call the Beatles and Bon Iver as other big musical influences for them. They are currently finishing recording, mixing and mastering their debut album.
Macon’s own Dirty Sound Professors are comprised of Luke Morris, Will Stevens, Brad Davis, Allen Whitlock, David Worsham, Leland Rayner and Mike Lirette. Many who attended Jam For A Cause did so solely for them, and a campus consensus is that this was one of their best shows to date.
The 2012 iteration of Dance Marathon at Mercer University will be held on Feb. 25 in Mercer’s Religious Life Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are several changes to the program this year.
Sophomore Logistics Chair for the Dance Marathon Executive Board, Alessia Jankowski, was very supportive of the changes.
“The changes to this year’s Dance Marathon are for the good of the program and will keep students more engaged than ever. Due to our progressive ideas, this year’s event will be more fun than ever.” Jankowski said.
The 2012 edition of Dance Marathon will feature an Olympics theme, incorporating new ideas to keep students involved and participating, such as games and interactive activities.
“Other schools such as Florida and Florida State have events that can last 24 to 48 hours, so we will packing as much as possible into our six hours,” Jankowski added.
With Mercer being such a smaller campus, the challenge is there.
All proceeds from Dance Marathon’s fundraising efforts go directly to the Children’s Miracle Network.
The Children’s Hospital downtown is directly benefited by the money raised both at Jam For A Cause and all Dance Marathon events during the year. Most efforts for Dance Marathon this year are under the umbrella of the organization dubbed Mercer’s Milestones for Miracles.
For more information on Jam For A Cause, Milestones for Miracles, or Dance Marathon check out their social media pages that have helped boost advertising and fundraising for the philanthropy.