CJ
Carter Johnson
  • Hudson, WI

Luther raises $38,612.01 in first Dance Marathon

2014 May 6

Carter Johnson, a Luther College sophomore from Hudson, Wis., was a member of the Luther Dance Marathon executive board that raised a total of $38,612.01 to send to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement involving college and high school students at more than 150 schools across the country. Johnson, the son of Beth Johnson and Steven Johnson of Hudson, Wis., is a 2012 graduate of Hudson High School. He is majoring in biology at Luther.

"Being from Wisconsin, I had never really heard of Dance Marathon, and I really got involved with Luther's first event at the end of last year really just by chance. I was approached by one of the founding members about getting involved with this program and once I found out about the cause my interest just took off. To me Dance Marathon represents a chance to celebrate the life of the kids who have been treated at a Children's Miracle Network hospital. The meaning of the organization and the power it yields to change the lives of the kids and families that come to these hospitals really became clear on April 12 as some of the families I had been communicating and interacting with all year came to Luther's first ever Dance Marathon. It was then that I really understood that the work we do all year really makes a difference, and if it wasn't for the Children's Hospital in Iowa City, some of these kids might not be here today. So to me, Dance Marathon offers a chance to dance with and for the kids who have fought through so much, because at the end of the day, it is about giving these kids a chance to make their impact on the world; and that is so exciting for me to see," Johnson said.

After a year-long commitment from more than 500 people, the year culminated in a 12-hour long event where students stayed on their feet through dancing, games and entertainment in celebration of the total amount raised.

After two years of careful planning Luther students Paul Esker, Chloe Gumpert, Jordan Jensen and Libby Logsden convened an executive board and coordinated the event.

The public campus fundraising goal was $15,000, but Gumpert said the executive board wanted to raise one more cent than the 2013 Wartburg College Dance Marathon goal of $32,000.

The two largest sponsorships came from the community businesses of Mabe's Pizza and the Magpie Coffeehouse. Other sponsors included Pizza Hut, Happy Joe's, Pizza Ranch, Mr. Groovy's, Kepharts, Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty, Fridley Theaters, Oneota Co-op, Decorah Veterinary Clinic and Love Your Melon.