UGA Miracle -- Benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Frequently   Asked   Questions

Click the question to see the answer!

Answers:

What   does   UGA   Miracle   raise   money   for?

UGA Miracle raises money for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, which is the Atlanta-Athens area local partner hospital of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.  Specifically UGA Miracle's funds support the Rehabilitation and Orthopedics departments of Children's. Most patients are treated in the Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU).  The CIRU provides a place for children to relearn skills necessary to maintain a normal life.  These skills could be as simple as learning to eat or as complex as regaining the ability to walk.  Over the years, UGA Miracle's funds have been used to purchase specialized equipment to help in the rehabilitation process, including a state-of-the-art patient lift system and a functional transport bus.  Additionally, Children’s works with patients with diverse conditions, from traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries to neurological diseases and other childhood impairments resulting from accidents, illnesses, injuries, congenital defects, syndromes and other conditions.  Children’s involves the whole family in the rehabilitation process to help heal the physical and emotional needs of each child.

What   makes   someone   a   Miracle   Child?

A Miracle child is classified as someone who was treated at one of the Children's hospitals for a life-altering illness or event. Some of our Miracle children are still undergoing treatment at the hospital. Miracle children do not have to be in the rehabilitation unit, where our money goes, to come to Dance Marathon. Children can be treated at the hospital until the age of 21. These children are considered Miracle children for life.

How   many   Miracle   Families   Do   We   Have?

Thirty-three Miracle families were in attendance for Dance Marathon 2012. However, our organization contacts well over 50 families, some of whom were unable to make it to Dance Marathon this year.

How   do   we   find   new   miracle   families?

This past year, we heard about new Miracle families through Family Relations committee members and various other participants. Besides UGA students, we have been fortunate enough to work with a Children's program coordinator, Lauren Korthoff, who is always informing us of new Miracle families. For Dance Marathon 2012, Lauren helped us find a number of Miracle families through the Star 94 Radiothon that was put on for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. UGA Miracle is excited to include Miracle families who have gone through life-changing circumstances to support their Miracle child. Each year is unique in how we find Miracle families.

If you or anyone you know is a Miracle child and would like to get involved with our organization, please contact our Family Relations Chairs Kelsey King and Todd Lambert.

What   events/fundraisers   do   we   host  during   the   year?

Because we have had a presence on UGA's campus for some time now, many of our events are traditions that students look forward to each year.  Our main event is Dance Marathon.  To learn more about Dance Marathon click here.  Other events include:
  • Family Day: our Miracle Families are invited to join us for a day of fun and games in Athens, hosted by our committee members
  • Benefit Concert: to kick off each year, UGA Miracle hosts a benefit concert.  In the past artists have included Sister Hazel, Corey Smith, Little Big Town, Pat Green, and more
  • Dodgeball Tournament: a throwback to recess, teams compete for the top-spot of competing at Dance Marathon in a fast-paced tournament
  • Gwinnett Gladiator Hockey Game: Miracle on Ice invites both families and team members to enjoy a game at a discounted rate
  • Tour of Homes: around the holidays, the sororities on Milledge Ave open there doors to allow the public a glimpse at their decorations
  • Kick-Off: a fun night in for prospective team members to learn more about the organization and committees
  • Other sponsored events: Chili Cook-Off, Haunted House, Movie on the Lawn, Jail and Bail, UGA Idol, and many more

Do   you   have   to   be   in   UGA   Miracle   to   attend   our   events?

Everyone is welcome to attend our events.  If you enjoyed your time consider registering for UGA Miracle and Dance Marathon at Donor Drive.

Can   I   still   join   UGA   Miracle   if  I'm   not   in   a   fraternity   or   sorority?

Of course!  UGA Miracle is open to all current students of the University of Georgia.  Because we have been on campus for so long, we have developed strong ties with UGA's fraternities and sororities and as a result we are the official philanthropy of Greek Life at UGA.  However, this does not mean that you can't join if you aren't a member of Greek Life.  Grab some friends from your hall, high school buddies, or members of your youth group and create a team!  All are welcome.

Is   there   a   deadline   to   Register  as  a   Team   Member?

No, our registration website is open up to the day of Dance Marathon.  Register early to be a part of the special benefits of being a member of UGA Miracle.  To register and learn how to effectively use the online donation website Donor Drive, click here.

How   many   committees   does   UGA   Miracle   have?

UGA Miracle has 11 committees.  There's a fit for any major or interest! For each committees description, click here.
  • Finance
  • Business Relations
  • Fundraising
  • Public Relations
  • Media
  • Recruitment
  • Hospital Relations
  • Community Outreach
  • Restaurant Relations
  • Morale
  • Family Relations

The application for committees will be released in late August of 2012, so keep your eyes and ears open around that time!

How   can   I   raise   my   fundraising   total?

We ask all registered team members to raise $200 and committee members to raise $250.  This may seem like a daunting task but with our help and some creativity you'll quickly meet and exceed your goal.  The easiest ways to raise your total are by participating in our Letter Writing Campaign and customizing your Donor Drive page (to learn how click here). 

Need to raise that last bit of money?  Canning is also a great option,  every Tuesday and Thursday during the semester starting at 11pm you can meet an Executive Board member at the Arch downtown.  They will give you a UGA Miracle can which you can take with you as you ask for donations.  Very successful nights can bring in as much as $115!  We suggest coming with a friend because it's more fun.

Another way to easily raise your total is by signing up to work in the concession stand at Stegeman.  UGA Miracle has partnered with Stegeman to provide this opportunity for our Team Members.  It's a lot of fun and you get to meet tons of people from Miracle.  To sign-up for a spot click here.  Hurry spaces fill quickly!

Do you know the owner of a business?  If so, then ask them to leave a donation jar on their counter space to collect donations!  We also have Children's Healthcare of Atlanta paper balloons that they can use when someone donates.

How   can   someone   donate   to   my   total?

There are several methods in which someone can donate to your personal fundraising total.  First, through our online donation website Donor Drive by searching for your name (or you can provide your page's personalized link, to learn how to get the most out of Donor Drive click here).  Second, we accept personal check through the mail.  Be sure that your name is written legibly on the memo line so we can correctly credit the donation to your total.  Checks can be sent to our mailing address which is:

UGA Miracle Office
ATTN: Personal Donation
153 Tate Student Center
Athens, GA 30602

How   do   I   submit   my   letter   writing   campaign   addresses?

If you are on a committee, the Executive Board member in charge of that committee will collect your addresses.  If you are a team member and aren't on a committee or you thought of someone else you'd like to mail a letter to please contact Fundraising Co-chairs, Laura Esposito and Lizzy O'Connor.

Why   doesn't   Donor   Drive   reflect   checks   received   offline?

Because of the large amount of checks received during Letter Writing Campaigns, the Finance Director and the Finance Committee are short on time and therefore can't update personal Donor Drive pages.  If you receive a donation in your name a notification email will be sent to the email address you registered with.  Your fundraising total on Donor Drive can be updated manually by you (to learn how click here).  To inquire about personal fundraising totals direct questions to our Finance Director, Brian Baker, and feel free to contact him at finance.ugamiracle@gmail.com.  

What   color   group   am   i   in?

If your morale leader hasn't contacted you already, please refer to this page to locate your name and color group.

What   happens   at   Dance   Marathon?

Throughout the 24 hours we have many entertainment options such as bands, dance groups, comedy acts, and performances.  An integral part of Dance Marathon is the interaction between our committee members and the families we've gotten to know throughout the year.  During this time families re-share their stories as motivation to remain awake the entire 24 hours.

Can   I   still   come   to   Dance   Marathon   if   i   don't   Raise   My   Total?

Although we strongly encourage you to complete your fundraising goal of either $200 or $250 before Dance Marathon,  you are still invited to come enjoy Dance Marathon with us!

Do   I   have  to   dance   or  stand  the   entire   24   hours?

If you want to! Some students take the optional Standing Challenge as a way to fully give back to the children we dance for. Don't worry if dancing isn't your thing we have plenty of entertainment and other things to keep you awake the whole day!

What   kind   of   food   is   at   Dance   Marathon?

Throughout the 24 hours Team Members enjoy a meal every 4 hours.  Meals are donated from local restaurants and in the past have come from Jimmy Johns, Chick-fil-A, Moe's, Zaxby's, The Williamson Brothers, and various other Athens and Atlanta restaurants.   We do provide a vegetarian option for the meals available at Dance Marathon.  To reserve a vegetarian meal, please let us know when registering at Donor Drive by answering the meal preference question. If you would like to donate a meal please contact our Restaurant Relations Chair, Mary Martha Clark.

Where   is   the   UGA   Miracle   office?

Our office is located on the bottom floor of old Tate.  At the bottom of the large stair-case, make a U-turn and head toward Campus Reservations (their offices are the large glass windows you see in front of you), turn right and head toward the double-doors and into the Greek Life Office, once inside turn left, and our office is the second door on your left.  If you get lost don't hesitate to call us at 706-542-7962.

An Executive Board member should be available to assist you until 4pm.  To see the office ours of our Board members, click here.  If no one is in the office, you can leave a message with Miss Nina in the glass office directly in front of our door.  

My   group   wants   to   work   with   UGA   Miracle,   who   do   I   contact?

To co-sponsor an event or fundraiser with UGA Miracle is easy.  Whether you're an on campus organization such as a professional fraternity, advocacy group, or social club, we can work with you to tailor your event to be exciting for both your members and ours.  If you would like to host an event please contact us through ugamiracle@gmail.com

How   can   i   get   my   high   school   involved   in   UGA  Miracle  and the Dance   Marathon  program?

To learn all about mini-marathons, please refer to this page.  Also, you can contact our External Director, Calli McRae.