Osprey Miracle students changing local pediatric patient lives
The Osprey Miracle, a philanthropic organization run by students at the University of North Florida, recently won the “Most Improved Dance Marathon Award” at the Dance Marathon Leadership Conference. The group successfully hosted their annual dance marathon event in March and raised almost $9,000 more funds compared to the previous year.
The Osprey Miracle group, formed in 2008, strives to educate the Northeast Florida Community on the fight against pediatric illness as well as raise awareness and funds for the two local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, UF Health Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
“There were over 600 students from all over the nation attending this conference and this was a huge honor for us to be recognized,” reminisced Katie Vosman, Osprey Miracle’s event operations chair. “We are so excited to continue this amazing work on our wonderful and supportive campus that directly impacts so many kids.”
Dance Marathon is a national project benefiting Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for more than 170 pediatric hospitals across North America. Every year, more than 10 million kids enter a CMN hospital and the program relies heavily on donations and community support from local Dance Marathons. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has helped fill the funding gaps by raising over $5 billion through community fundraising campaigns.
Osprey Miracle hopes to continue to grow and plans to work with other student organizations, Greek life and athletes to involve more students in the cause to “Change Kids Health to Change the Future” and make a difference in the lives of local children fighting pediatric illness. The organization also recently received the Next Generation Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) of Jacksonville.
Learn more about Osprey Miracle or make a donation by visiting the organization’s webpage.