OttoTHON’s 10-hour, beach-themed day drives children’s hospital philanthropy
This year’s beach-themed OttoTHON featured activities like face-painting, tug-of-war and the hospital’s annual parade. In addition, OttoTHON also conducts an 10-hour dance marathon to support children at the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Maddy Cox | Staff Photographer
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Syracuse University’s Goldstein Auditorium was filled with a mix of loud music and laughter from students, children and parents. In a sea of Hawaiian shirts and dolphin balloons, kids and students joined each other in activities like slime making and dancing.
“The kids here are just having fun at the moment,” said Isabelle Reed, junior and OttoTHON marketing co-chair. “For the miracle kids here, I hope this moment serves as a summer getaway for them.”
Saturday was OttoTHON’s 12th anniversary, and it raised $115,182.76 for the hospital. Founded by Syracuse alum Jillian Lynch in 2014, OttoTHON is the university’s largest student-run philanthropic event. Each year, hundreds of SU students participate in the 10-hour dance marathon to support children at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
The funds go toward stocking the hospital’s food pantries and helping parents feed their children during their stay, said Cyd Rotella, director of development for the Southern Tier at The Upstate Foundation. The event has grown over the past 12 years from a small student initiative to a large collaborative effort, Reed said.
“(The food pantries) make things easier for families, they don’t have to go all the way down to the cafeteria. They can just grab something, heat it up and have a snack for their kid,” Rotella said.
Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital operates almost entirely on grants and donations, said Hannah Thibodeau, OttoTHON Executive Director and SU senior. OttoTHON encourages students across campus, regardless of background, to get involved for a day to support both the children and the hospital’s broader mission.
From Greek life to student athletics, student representatives from various campus organizations sent student representatives to participate and run their own fundraisers for the event.
“We involve multiple RSOs across campus, so it’s worth coming out, not just to help, but to hear directly from the kids and families at the hospital about why what we do matters,” Thibodeau said.
Since 2014, OttoTHON has been the largest student-run philanthropic event at Syracuse University. From Greek life to student athletics, student representatives from different organizations gather at the annual event to raise thousands of dollars. Maddy Cox | Staff Photographer
The event, beach-themed this year, featured face-painting stations and games like Spikeball. The night’s programming included the hospital parade, followed by a cappella performances and the event’s annual tug-of-war.
“We plan the event so it can be shared by both student volunteers and kids who attend,” Thibodeau said. “The annual parade is a great example where students walk alongside the kids, understanding their realities while experiencing it alongside them.”
Lisa Lambert and her son have attended OttoTHON since he was three and it has become a meaningful part of their lives, she said. OttoTHON has helped her son, who has been in and out of the hospital since he was born, interact with other kids outside of the hospital.
Lambert and her son, who’s now in the eighth grade, mark their calendars for OttoTHON every year. Attending OttoTHON has also helped the family see how their son’s health has improved year to year and now no longer has to go to the hospital as frequently, Lambert said.
Lambert said the event not only provides a fun environment for the children, but also creates a sense of connection among families.
“The kids love to play, and seeing the other families makes you feel even more blessed,” Lambert said. “My son isn’t in as bad shape anymore, so it makes me feel lucky. If we’re able to help other people, that’s great.”
For Upstate Golisano, that sense of connection extends beyond the event itself. The funds raised support initiatives that make the lives of patients and their families easier, allowing them to focus on their child’s recovery rather than the financial and emotional stress that often comes with long hospital stays, Rotella said.
“Events like these might seem small, but go a long way in supporting our families,” Rotella said. “These funds allow us to go beyond treatment and make their time here just a little bit easier.”
