The Power of Community: How Local Businesses Support UDance

Oct 29

In 2007, a passionate group of University of Delaware students embarked on a remarkable journey—to start a dance marathon on their campus, a movement that would change lives and our communities forever. Their choice to support The B+ Foundation marked the beginning of a lasting relationship that has now spanned nearly two decades. The fight against childhood cancer, as we all know, is a grueling battle that touches the lives of children and their families in the most profound way. It's not just a physical and emotional challenge; it's a financial burden that places families in an unimaginably difficult situation. This is where we, the UDance community, come into the picture. For nearly 16 years, the UDance community has given our mission steadfast support, raising an extraordinary $18.3 million to support thousands of families every year. A large part of this success can be attributed to the unwavering support of our corporate sponsors. These partnerships are more than just transactions; they are lifelines, connecting UDance to our local community in a network of support, resources, and shared values.

I recently had the privilege of talking to the members of the UDance 2024 Development team—Jacob, Daniella, Catherine, and Lauren—to explore how our corporate sponsors empower UDance and The B+ Foundation to continue to make substantial contributions to the fight against childhood cancer.

UDANCE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Jacob Levy, who leads the Development Team, describes his role as leading the strategic planning and execution of his team based on their needs and team goals. The Development team is new to the UDance Executive Board this year, giving Jacob and his team the freedom to implement new ideas and approaches to expand UDance outreach in the local community as well as broaden on-campus relationships. Jacob acknowledged that running a new team on the UDance Board is a tremendous responsibility. “It involves setting precedents and establishing a strong foundation for the years to come”. He emphasized the importance of “maintaining a high standard of performance and a high bar for their successors. By doing so, [the Development team can] ensure the continuity and growth of UDance's impact, as new generations can build on their foundation.” The growth of UDance’s corporate sponsorship program has just recently garnered more emphasis. In previous years, sponsorship-related tasks fell on only one Corporate Sponsorship Chair who was responsible for managing all things outreach as well as leading a committee of student volunteers. UDance 2024 will be the first year implementing this new team, specifically dedicated to prioritizing corporate sponsorships. Jacob explained that the growth of his team has been “incredibly important in the corporate sponsorship world as a lot of what we do requires many hands to help maximize outreach to network with as many businesses as possible”.

In her first year on the UDance Executive Board, senior Daniella Downing has already made substantial impacts on the growth of the corporate sponsorship program. As the General Outreach Chair, she is responsible for initiating communication with all previous and potential sponsors of UDance as well as supporting the overall efforts of her team. Daniella emphasized the importance of maintaining existing relationships with sponsors in addition to creating meaningful relationships with new companies as well. Her outreach invites sponsors to share our passion for our mission, and “show them how their business can make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer.”

When asked about the most rewarding aspect of her work on the board, Daniella shared, “There are so many rewarding aspects of being a part of the Development Team and the work that we do for UDance. First, it is such a rewarding feeling when a company — whether returning or new — is interested in sponsoring. Each sponsor’s donation makes an incredible difference in the fight against childhood cancer. That money is providing huge financial relief to families and children in need. For instance, thanks to a “Warrior” sponsor, in the same week as their donation 3 families could receive prescribed medicine that insurance doesn’t cover, in order to save their children’s lives. Even if a company does not sponsor, I know they have now heard of UDance and The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Spreading awareness is a huge component of outreach. Although a company may not sponsor right away, they are being made aware of our organization and its impact, and may consider a sponsorship in the future.”

Regarding the Development team’s involvement in on-campus outreach, I had the opportunity to talk to Catherine Gillman, this year’s Internal Relations Chair. Her role is focused on “helping students to unlock the potential of utilizing their Corporate Connections to hit their fundraising goals.” She interacts with student groups on campus involved in Greek Life, Residence Life, RSOs (Registered Student Organizations), Athletics, and UDance Committees to inform them about this fundraising opportunity, and guide them through the process so that they can successfully do it. Many students are unaware of the potential benefits of guiding their fundraising efforts to corporate sponsors that they may already be connected to.

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS: IT’S NOT FOUR YEARS, IT’S FOR LIFE.

UDance would not be where it is today without our alumni. Their dedication over the years has allowed us to continue to make significant advances in the fight against childhood cancer. Our alumni network makes up a huge part of the UDance community as they have continued to support our efforts far beyond their years as Blue Hens. To learn more, I spoke to UDance 2024’s External Relations Chair, Lauren Quigley, as she plays a vital role in expanding UDance's reach and support network through alumni, as well as faculty relations. Within the Development team, Lauren handles all communication with UDance and UD alumni. Lauren expressed her passion for connecting with alumni, stating, "It's incredibly rewarding to see the alumni community stay engaged with our mission, and their enthusiasm to give back, even after some time away, is truly inspiring." She added, "I believe our alumni's dedication goes beyond their years as students and plays a vital role in spreading awareness and support for the cause. What's truly remarkable is how alumni, after a period of being less directly involved, express their renewed excitement about re-engaging with UDance. Some have gone the extra mile by introducing UDance and The B+ Foundation to their workplaces, leading to corporate sponsorships that not only spread our mission but also secure vital support from those who may have been previously unaware of our cause. In this way, the commitment of alumni continues to shine brightly, and their dedication to spreading our mission remains a powerful force in our ongoing fight against childhood cancer.”

One particularly exciting aspect of Lauren’s role is the effort to secure "pop-up tables" for the day of UDance 2024. This involves reaching out to small businesses and shops, inviting them to participate in our event, and witnessing their enthusiasm to give back to such a special cause. It's heartening to see these businesses eager to contribute, just as it is inspiring to observe the enthusiasm of students as they interact with these shops during our event.

DANCING TODAY TO GIVE KIDS A TOMORROW

In my conversations with the UDance 2024 Development Team, it became evident that the team's collective efforts are at the heart of our mission to fight childhood cancer. The UDance community, fueled by the dedication of nearly two decades of passionate UD students, has raised an extraordinary $18.3 million, transforming the lives of countless families. The establishment of the Development Team, led by Jacob Levy, represents an exciting chapter in the UDance journey. This team is bringing the spirit of innovation, introducing fresh ideas and approaches to expand UDance's outreach both within the local community and on campus. The unwavering commitment, innovation, and partnerships they forge underscore that UDance is not just an event but a lifelong commitment, uniting sponsors, alumni, and the entire community in the ongoing fight for a world where no child has to hear to words, “you have cancer.” UDance has cemented itself in the fight against childhood cancer and will not stop until there is a cure.

GETTING TO KNOW THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Jacob is inspired to be involved in UDance by his team. “Their passion to take time out of their day to work hard and help create a strong foundation for our team gets me excited every day to be involved in UDance. The idea of letting my team down keeps me motivated and pushes me through the times where things get overwhelming. Being part of a community when we all work together towards a common goal for a noble cause inspires me every day. Making a difference in our B+ Heroes lives who unfortunately had a difficult hand dealt to them is why I do UDance. Knowing that I have the capability to help make their day a little better always excites me looking forward.”

**Daniella Downing**, General Outreach Char

Daniella’s favorite UDance memory was during B+ Hero Hour at UDance 2023. “B+ Hero Leilani took the stage and shared some insight on what UDance means to her. This was an incredibly emotional and eye-opening moment for me. I always knew how special UDance was for these children and their families, but hearing it from her was extremely impactful. She mentioned how UDance serves as a distraction from all of the treatments and difficult times. It is a community that is always there for her and always uplifts her. That is what makes UDance so special to me and a big reason why I dance. The genuine connections that we foster are so meaningful and strong, and inspire me with everything I do for UDance, especially within my position as the General Outreach Chair.”

**Lauren Quigley**, External Relations Chair

Lauren says that UDance is the highlight of her college experience, here’s why: “I have been involved with UDance since my freshman year at UD and can confidently say it is the highlight of my college experience. I started on the Freshmen For The Kids Committee, then joined the Community Outreach Committee my sophomore year, and that inspired me to join the UDance Executive Board this year. The main reason I am inspired each year to get more involved with this organization is because of the people I have met along the way. At every UDance event, it is incredibly touching to see the B+ Heroes and their Families having fun and enjoying themselves. Seeing the smiles on their faces, hearing their stories and how we have impacted them inspires me every day. Along with that, the people that work alongside me is another huge reason I love UDance. Everyone might be involved for a different reason based on personal experiences, but at the end of the day we are all working towards a common goal and motivate one another. I am so thankful to be a part of this community of people and am especially thankful for my team (shoutout Jacob, Daniella, and Catherine)!”

**Catherine Gillman**, Internal Relations Chair

Catherine’s favorite UDance memory is her close relationship with B+ Hero Braden and his hilarious and wonderful family! “My freshman year I was able to meet their family through the FFTK program, and although I am no longer paired with their family through FFTK, we still remain connected and are lucky to hang out sometimes! I love the opportunity that UDance has given me because I am able to make connections with wonderful people who inspire me to be a better person every day. Every new event helps me to further explore why I am doing what I am doing, and gives me the opportunity to have so much fun while I do it! I also absolutely love having a close relationship with members of the UDance community, especially my team on Exec. It is so amazing to be able to connect with these people through our passion for this cause, but also to become such great friends outside of our work. I have made so many new memories with the awesome and amazing Development Team, and I wouldn’t trade this group for anything!”