This past weekend, March 4-6, 21 brothers of the Illinois Alpha Chapter raised $36,023.92 at Northwestern University’s Dance Marathon. The brothers danced for 30 consecutive hours along with Northwestern’s Pi Beta Phi chapter in order to raise money for Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that feeds children across the country who do not have access to food for up to 65 hours every weekend.

Members of both chapters raised money by canning, sending out solicitation letters, selling miniature apples pies through their fall philanthropy and through other means. Among the brothers dancing was brother James Keane, a senior who served as NUDM’s marketing and media co-chair in 2016. Keane individually raised over $3,000 for his fourth and final Dance Marathon at Northwestern.

The amount raised by the chapter is the highest in recent history, earning the brothers the award for 2nd in overall fundraising for a medium-sized team. The brothers of Illinois Alpha are proud of their accomplishments with many of the brothers looking forward to dancing again next year.