Update! Great Entertainment, Miracle Families, Awesome Incentives!

As we prepare for CHICAGO Dance Marathon 2011 we have some exciting things to share with you!  Our entertainment schedule is coming together nicely and we are excited to announce that once again we will be joined by The Breakfast Club this year.  Not only will they jam out to 80’s songs but will host live band karaoke helping us to reveal all that talent in the crowd!  We have over 70 patient family members that will be in attendance and are excited to meet you and share their stories!  The food list is delicious and the DJ are getting their play list updated!  There will be some new special additions to Dance Marathon 2011 as well as some surprise guest appearances!  Best yet our team as collecting some AMAZING incentive prices for you to earn and win. 

Everyone that raises over these amounts will be entered to win:

$750+

Groupon Gift Card ($50)

2 Trattoria Roma Gift Certificates ($50 each)

One Night Stay at The Westin Downtown

2 Cubs Game Tickets

2 Sox Game Tickets

$1,000+

2 Starbucks Gift Baskets ($100 value each)

2 Zanies Gift Certificates ($100 value each)

1 Old Chicago Gift Card ($100 value)

1 Barcelona Gift Card ($100 value)

1 Month unlimited classes @ Barre Bee Fit ($125 value)

1 PS3

One Night Stay at the Ritz Carlton Chicago

$1,250+

2 'Night out in Old Town Packages' Including 1 $100 Zanies GC and 1 $75 O'Briens GC

2 Joakim Noah Signed Basketballs

1 Joe Paterno Signed FB

Giant Customized Bobblehead

Flip Camera

$1,500+

1 Pair of Tickets to the March 28th Bulls Game + Joakim Noah Signed Basketball

Devin Hester Signed Football Jersey

$2500

(3) Zoom Teeth Whitening Treatments

5 Night Stay at the Wailea Beach, Hawaii Marriott Resort & Spa-Ocean View with dinner and show

And don't forget our February incentive ending Monday, February 28th!  Registrants will receive FREE registration AND a $50 fundraising credit. It's only through Monday though so sign up today using the code "DM-cdm."

Also, the person who recruits the most dancers will receive a Free Apple iPad!  Make sure to tell people include your name as the person who referred them when they register.

Only 21 days to go - recruit, recruit, recruit!

FTK!

27 Days to Go: A Few Tips to Help You Prepare

CHICAGO Dance Marathon is now 27 days away! Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

1) Book your room at the Sheraton! If you would like to stay at the Sheraton the night before or the night of Dance Marathon please call the Sheraton and tell them you are with CHICAGO Dance Marathon and Children’s Memorial and they will give you the special rate of $159/night! Be sure to do this quickly by calling The Sheraton Hotel and Towers at 312.464.1000

2) Don't forget those emails! We still need your help with recruitment! Now is the time. Can you help us by recruiting one more person or creating a team? Have you sent out all of your fundraising emails? If you need any help recruiting or raising your funds please feel free to contact Erin Hagman at ehagman@chicagodancemarathon.org.  

3) Remember our February incentive!  Those dancers who register by the end of the month will receive FREE registration and a $50 fundraising credit if they use the code "DM-cdm" when they register.  For those already signed up, encourage your friends to join, too!  Make sure they list your name as the person who referred them.  The individual with the most referrals will win a FREE iPad!

3) Corporate Matching! Does your company match your donations? Look into this! This can help you quickly double your fundraising numbers. If you have questions ask your human resources department or manager.

For the Kids!

Why I Dance - Erin Hagman

The smiles and positive energy of the children are contagious and they bring so much joy and happiness to those around them. It makes me feel so fortunate to meet such strong, courageous children and I want to support the institution that makes all of this possible! :)

- Erin Hagman
Recruitment Director, CHICAGO Dance Marathon

Everyone has a personal story about why they participate in CHICAGO Dance Marathon.  Tell us why you dance!  Send your entry to chicagodancemarathon@gmail.com. 

Recruit Your Friends and You Could Win a FREE iPad!

Recruit your friends for CHICAGO Dance Marathon 2011 and you could win an Apple iPad!!!

Anyone who registers with the code DM-cdm between now and February 28 will receive FREE registration AND a $50 fundraising credit toward your goal! What's the benefit for you?  Have your friends list your name as the referral and the person with the most referrals will win a brand new Apple iPad!

Copy and paste the message below, send it out to all of your friends- it's that easy!!!

Sign up by February 28 and get FREE registration AND a $50 credit towards your fundraising!

Use this code to get FREE registration:  DM-cdm

When asked who referred you put my name!

Good Luck!  For the Kids!

No Limits for Skye

As Seen in the February 2011 edition of Children's Memorial Hospital's Heroes Update


When Skye Carter was an infant, doctors told her parents that their daughter had profound hearing loss and would never hear or speak. Today, thanks to successful cochlear implant surgery at Children’s Memorial Hospital, 13-year-old Skye is a confident young woman who recently learned to dance the tango. View a FOX Chicago News feature.


Skye will be joining us at CHICAGO Dance Marathon on March 19th.  Register today at www.chicagodancemarathon.org 

Dance Marathon Wristband Night: February 19th

Hey CDMers! One of our fabulous teams, Team Dancing Machines, is having a wristband night on Saturday, February 19th to raise money for CHICAGO Dance Marathon!

Wristbands are $30 and $10 from each wristband sold will go directly to fundraising efforts.

For your money, you get three hours of beer, rail liquor, appetizers and the knowledge that your drinking is helping sick kids and their families.

Great idea, Team Dancing Machines!

When:
Saturday, February 19th
8 - 11p.m.

Where:
State Restaurant & Cafe
935 West Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL

Come out to support the cause!  

Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating Event: You're Invited!

You’re invited to our Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Event! Join us and meet some of our Dance Marathon kids and families, decorate cookies and make crafts for kids at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Please invite your friends as well!  If you would like to tour the hospital we will be touring the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Brown Family Life Center and the ER!

When: 
Sunday, February 13

Time:
1pm-3pm

Where:
Children’s Memorial Foundation
759 West Belden (corner of Belden & Halsted) , Chicago, IL 60614

Parking:
Street Parking or Children’s Memorial Hospital Ramp

Please RSVP with your name and number attending to Jen Chock at jchock@chicagodancemarathon.org

See you there!