By Hilite Staff

Last year, this school, with around 900 dancers, raised nearly $160,000 for Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis during Carmel Dance Marathon (CDM), a staggering number that, according to the Riley Web site, represents the largest high school dance marathon in the country with numbers expected to rise again with this year’s event on Feb. 20.

With over one quarter of the student body here participating in CDM in some way, the term “For the Kids” has gained a new meaning for this group of teenagers and the donors that support them.

In these trying economic times, however, people are more conscious than ever as to where their money ends up once the dancing has ceased and the Freshman Cafeteria floor has been mopped free of scratches and spills from the celebratory evening of giving.

With many charities experiencing a drastic decline in donations due to the recession, it is clear that finding an organization in need requires little work. Upon digging deeper, however, the “need” of Riley Children’s Hospital may be less than that of other potential beneficiaries.

This is not to disparage the good work at Riley. Established in 1924, Riley Children’s Hospital is synonymous with excellent childcare and the greatest physicians and surgeons in the nation. However, Riley Children’s Hospital benefits from the assistance of other schools. In 2009, Indiana University raised $1,520,418.21 with the banner of the money being “For the Kids.” While Riley Children’s Hospital is undoubtedly an extremely worthy cause, the $160,000 raised by CDM seems like a drop in the bucket compared to IU’s total.

Money raised from both Purdue University Dance Marathon and Ball State Dance Marathon also benefits Riley. Therefore, the money raised from CDM would have a greater impact on a less-assisted local charity that lacks the public recognition and funding of Riley.

Additionally, Riley Hospital benefits from a large operating budget. According to a Riley representative, the annual operating budget for Riley is $2.9 billion. The $160,000 raised at CDM last year represents only 0.006 percent of Riley’s total annual operating budget.

In contrast, if the funds raised from CDM were to go to a lesser-known charity or organization while remaining local, the money would have the most immediate impact. In the current recession, many local charities have greater need than ever before, and by utilizing these charities, the money raised here can stay within the limits of Carmel or Indianapolis and support local Hoosiers.

Each year at Dance Marathon, exhausted dancers listen to the story of Ashley Crouse ‘02 and how much good she believed this school could accomplish. With the amount raised during CDM growing every year, Ashley would surely be proud of her former high school.

As this revenue continues to grow, however, it is important that the leaders of this school and CDM examine where the money is most needed and where it will be most appreciated. “For the Kids” is the ubiquitous mantra of many students during this time of year, and re-examining where the money raised will be most beneficial will surely keep students in the giving mood.