Bobcat-A-Thon, Bowling Green FFA’s annual philanthropic event for Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Toledo, was held in March. The chapter has been planning and fundraising for this event since the beginning of the school year. All of the members’ hard work in fundraising and planning paid off with a successful event.
Bobcat-A-Thon is a four-hour event in which those in attendance stand in solidarity for those kids in the hospital who can’t. All of the proceeds go to Nationwide Mercy Children’s Hospital-Toledo. The mini-dance marathon is supported by BGSU students who host a larger dance marathon event in April.
This year some of the activities at the event consisted of a dodgeball tournament, a dutch auction, a bounce house, crafts table and a raffle at the end of the event. This year the total amount raised was $7,672 and there were 65 BGHS dancers in attendance at the event.
Throughout the day dancers work in teams to compete against each other during the activities. The winning teams received prizes of raffle tickets. Many local businesses donated to the event with either raffle items or monetary donations. Music was provided throughout the event by Officer Robin Short who donated her time for the cause. The overall total was revealed at the end of the 4-hour event.
Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement involving college and high school students at more than 450 schools – all raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Students spend a year planning the event while raising funds and gathering awareness for kids and families experiencing pediatric illness. The year culminates with an event where students stay on their feet through dancing, games, entertainment and interaction with children’s hospital patients and families in symbolic support of children served by Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Toledo.
The BG FFA extends its thanks to all who supported its numerous fundraisers for this event. These included the Annual BG FFA Tailgate before a home football game, benefit night at Rapid Fired Pizza and a BGHS Basketball game, strawberry sales, and Penny Wars held during class. All proceeds from these events went toward the final total revealed at Bobcat-A-Thon.
To date, since 2004, the BG FFA has raised and donated $79,315.35 to Mercy Children’s Hospital. Next year the organization hopes to have an even bigger and better event.
The Bowling Green FFA is a satellite program of Penta Career Center.
