As part of St. Ambrose University Dance Marathon’s annual “Push Week,” students and community members are lacing up their sneakers and turning their steps into support through the Miracle Miles event. The walk, held at Davenport’s Vander Veer Park, invites participants to get active while raising money and awareness for children’s health.
The event marks the first major push of the school year toward Dance Marathon’s ultimate goal: supporting the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the 61 local miracle families connected to the cause.
“Today we have the Miracle Miles event,” explains Andrew Jones, Dance Marathon’s sponsorship director. “We have members of the Ambrose community and the Davenport community walking laps around Vander Veer Park—all to raise money and awareness for the Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the St. Ambrose University Dance Marathon Family.”
Jones, a third-year member of the organization, says that each lap represents more than just physical effort. For him, it is about connection and purpose.
“It is inspiring me to lead my committee in those around me towards our fundraising goal this year, and it’s really helping to inspire us and our community as well.”
The Miracle Miles event serves as the kickoff for Push Week, a series of themed fundraising events designed to engage students, alumni, and local residents. Throughout the week, participants will host various activities, each contributing to the yearlong campaign.
Each lap completed translates into a $5 donation to SAU Dance Marathon that directly benefits children and families receiving care. Whether it’s funding new equipment, supporting hospital expansions, or providing meals for families staying with their children, every dollar makes a tangible impact.
“All the money we raise is dedicated to a number of different projects throughout the hospital,” says Jack Day, the organization’s director of community outreach and alumni engagement. “It can be used for things that nurses need, additions to the hospital, food for families—really anything that helps make their experience a little easier. We’re excited to have that opportunity to support the hospital in so many ways this year.”
Under sunny skies, the event drew a mix of participants—students, alumni, families, and even passersby who stopped to learn more. For organizers, that visibility is just as important as the fundraising itself.
“Even for folks who might not be participating today or donating, they see our signs, they see who we’re supporting,” Day adds. “Ultimately, this is a big awareness campaign, which is really important because kids are such a special part of our world.”
As the laps add up, so does the impact. Each step brings the Ambrose community closer to changing lives. One mile, one miracle at a time.
“I believe our future is kids,” Day says. “Being able to support them means a lot to me. That’s why I am a part of Dance Marathon, so for this event to raise awareness and raise support for those kiddos is something that is really special, worth my while and worth all our whiles.”
