Dance Marathon organizers held “Mini Dance Marathon”
complete with celebrity appearances and speaker presentations
Tuesday night to give dancers a taste of the upcoming event.
“The purpose (of Mini Dance Marathon) is to give the
dancers a sense of what the event is like. Overall, the committee
hopes that everyone enjoys themselves,” said Eva Leidman,
public relations coordinator for Dance Marathon, during which
students are sponsored to dance for 26 hours with proceeds going to
the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Michelle Trachtenberg of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
fame introduced Ian, 15, and Rumor, 8, siblings who have both been
diagnosed with pediatric AIDS.
The children shared their stories and experiences with the
HIV/AIDS organization Camp Heartland.
Camp Heartland, located in Minnesota, is an organization that
provides a community for children and teens suffering from
pediatric AIDS.
For seven weeks every summer, children and teens attend camp,
but the organization reaches out to victims year-round by
facilitating communication, said Joel Goldman, a member of Camp
Heartland’s board of directors.
Rumor and Ian both explained that during the time they spend at
Camp Heartland each summer, they are able to act as normal kids,
free from stereotypes.
Kimberly Locke, an “American Idol” finalist in 2003,
also became involved with the camp.
“(My involvement in) Camp Heartland has been a
life-changing experience. It brought a whole new meaning and
purpose to my life,” she said.
Locke became involved with Camp Heartland last year through a
nationwide penny drive. She attended the camp for three days,
performing and interacting with the children.
“Camp Heartland touched me directly. I have been inspired
by these kids who haven’t lived half of the life I have
lived, but have so many more experiences. It is important to
remember that it is not always about the money, but the time we
contribute,” Locke said.
Locke performed her hit song “8th World Wonder” and
debuted a song from her upcoming dance album during Mini Dance
Marathon.
The organization also holds a one-week camp in Malibu for
children from the West Coast, and Goldman said that this camp is
another way for UCLA students to get involved with the pediatric
AIDS cause.
This year, Camp Heartland organizers said they are working to
help UCLA dancers better understand the purpose of Dance
Marathon.
“We want to help put a face on the children (dancers) are
helping. Ten campers are coming to dance with the students so that
the dancers will get to know the kids one-on-one,” Goldman
said. “Also, many celebrities are involved in Camp Heartland
and will be stopping by Dance Marathon to thank the
dancers.”
This is Camp Heartland’s first year supporting
UCLA’s Dance Marathon.
The Dance Marathon organizing committee held a handful of
activities to preview the upcoming event during the mini marathon.
Fundraising, informational and food booths were open throughout the
evening.
The a capella group Random Voices and the Vietnamese Student
Union also performed, and Dance Marathon committee members led
attendees in last year’s morale dance.
“This night was about providing the dancers with a
personal connection,” said Dance Marathon Director Aviva
Altmann.