BearFest Dance Marathon Raises $46,000 for CMN, EMMC

The second annual University of Maine BearFest Dance Marathon at the UMaine Field House Feb. 23–24 raised $46,000 in pledges to benefit the Bangor-area Children’s Miracle Network and the pediatric wing at Eastern Maine Medical Center — far exceeding the goal of $35,000 — according to the Eastern Maine Healthcare System Foundation.

Upward of 800 UMaine students danced through the night until 5 a.m. for the 12-hour fundraiser.

Last year, the event — coordinated by the UMaine Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, and Campus Activities & Student Engagement — raised $32,000.

This year as of Feb. 7, more than 500 preregistered participants planning to dance had pledged more than $19,000 toward the 2013 goal of $35,000.

For information or to request disability accommodations, call 207.973.5051. Pledges and registration information is on the Children’s Miracle Network website.

A video about the event is available on YouTube.