Gallery: Syracuse’s largest philanthropy carries on for its fourth year

OttoTHON 2017 took place in Goldstein Auditorium. The event is a 12-hour-long dance marathon which raises money for Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Meghan Dare, OttoTHON's executive director, cut the ribbon at 10 a.m., and dancers flooded into the auditorium. Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Morale Team was in charge of keeping the participants motivated throughout the 12-hour dance marathon. They had a choreographed dance that the entire event followed along with on the hour. Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Jackie Abrams put face glitter on each of the participants in the event. Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Every dancer had to fundraise at least $100 in order to participate. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Abby Anderson, 10, currently has Osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Some dancers had pre-choreographed dances, while others just danced along to the music for 12 hours straight. Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Each participant filled out a bib explaining why they take part in the event. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Abby loves to sing and dance; she was looking forward to OttoTHON for a long time and couldn't stop talking about the event. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Children were brought to the auditorium throughout the day; some of them danced among the crowd, others spoke in front of the event. Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Cameron Stark gets her face painted for the event. "FTK" stands for For The Kids. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Posters lined Panasci tables before the event, so students could make signs for the event itself. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Balloons and streamers lined the auditorium. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

The first Morale dance took place around 10:30 a.m. The Morale dance leaders were Katie Dills and Jackson Giampino. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Zach Hagget, 17, has a rare disease called Mucolipidosis that has prevented him from developing physically to stature. Zach's body doesn't process waste – instead it is sent to attack his organs and bones. His bones are extremely fragile. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

The philanthropy hopes to raise $144,000 by the end of the night. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Delta Airlines chose OttoTHON and six other dance marathons to donate money to. The airline donated $4,000. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer

Anderson was one of the first people on the dance floor. She told her mom she wanted to spend the whole day at the event. Moriah Ratner | Staff Photographer