The feeling of Transform Today is like no other. Our entire campus and community came together for 26.2 hours: energized and determined to seize the day and make more miracles than ever before. Students gathered together across the Gainesville community in a sea of brightly colored Dance Marathon T-Shirts and polos sharing their passion for our cause with strangers. They canned, flyered, asked for even $1 and fought for the kids that fight every day. But, our brave Miracle Children at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital fought even harder — spending Transform Today inspiring others and fundraising themselves to help lost loved ones and kids like them. Businesses around Gainesville also gave their time to support our cause.
The day echoed the power of a united community. This year, our community came together to raise a total of $652,946.26, all For The Kids.
We celebrated the end of Transform Today on Flavet Field last Wednesday. The open field became a Halloween celebration full of infectious smiles and incredible moments for our annual Moralloween. Families enjoyed Halloween games, haunted houses, face painting and a pumpkin patch. Miracle Children shined with joy as they showed off their creative costumes in the Miracle Child fashion show and collected their favorite candies at Halloween-themed booths set up by Organizations participating in Dance Marathon.
Our Miracle Child Bailey expressed how happy she was to see her Dance Marathon friends dressed up as characters from her favorite movie series, “The Descendants.” However, she said her favorite part of Moralloween was collecting candy from every single booth. Meanwhile, Miss K, dressed as a UF Volleyball Player, enjoyed practicing her volleyball skills with old and new friends.
Another Miracle Child Bella, dressed as a princess. Stuffing her face with candy, she said, “My favorite part of Moralloween was dancing around with everyone and seeing the total amount raised on Transform Today.”
The night concluded with an eruption of applause and excitement as the Transform Today fundraising total was revealed. But, the joy behind that number shows that our cause is about so much more. Inspiring events like Transform Today and Moralloween serve as reminders to enjoy every moment and spend time with those who inspire you, as we Rise As One toward a brighter tomorrow.