Montana State University students will host the state’s second annual Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a six-hour event to raise money for the Shodair Hospital in Helena.

Montanathon will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, in Ballroom A of the Strand Union Building. It will include dancing, games and more. Dancers are not asked to dance on stage or perform, but they are asked to participate in the day’s activities to show support for the children and families of Shodair Hospital. Last year’s inaugural event raised over $30,000 for the hospital.

Montana Miracle Network Dance Marathon at Montana State is the student group organizing the event. The group says all funds raised will go directly toward supporting and improving the services Shodair Hospital provides to children struggling with mental illness and genetic disorders. Shodair is the only public facility in the state to provide acute and residential psychiatric care for children, and its medical genetic services — which include diagnostic evaluation, care coordination and risk assessment — attract patients from across Montana.

“Shodair Hospital is a state-of-the-art and unique psychiatric hospital as well as a world-renowned genetic testing and counseling center, but community support is crucial to meeting their mission of ‘to heal, help and inspire hope,’” said Caitlin Holzer, Montanathon president and a senior psychology student. “Pediatric illness, especially mental illness, can feel lonely and isolating, so it is an honor and privilege to send the message to Shodair’s patients that we see them, care about them and support them wholeheartedly.”

The group encourages all MSU students, faculty, staff and community members to participate in Montanathon. Registration is required ahead of the event. To register or for more information, visit tinyurl.com/montanathon2020 or contact event media coordinator Kathryn Rearden at kathryn.rearden15@gmail.com.