‘For The Kids’.
While just a saying for some, For The Kids, or FTK, is the motto for those involved in Knight-Thon, UCF’s largest student run philanthropy.
This year, Knight-Thon set their highest goal ever of $500,000, and was able to surpass that to reach a total of $688,049.19.
“The closing ceremony was incredible,” said staff member Lesley Crews. “It was a very emotional experience. A lot of people warned me how emotional it would be, but I didn’t really believe them.”
This was Crews first Knight-Thon, and ended up being the largest in UCF history, making Knight-Thon the seventh largest dance marathon in the country.
“When they announced the total, I was stunned,” Crews said. “I knew we would probably reach or exceed our goal, but I didn’t know we would go $188,000 over our goal.”
Event Operations Director Chris Hixon was astonished with the results.
“Seeing this movement grow from $84k and 350 participants my freshman year to $688k and almost 1,100 participants my senior year was incredible,” said Hixon.
But there was a more personal meaning to the results for him. Hixon was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was six. He credits the support of his local children’s hospital and doctors to help him beat his cancer.
“Fast forward to college, I see a group of students participating in Knight-Thon and it raised approximately $84,000 for Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” Hixon said. “Seeing 350 college students put aside their weekend to help kids who were just like me was incredible.”
Hixon went on.
“I was astonished by the number because it represented the efforts of thousands of students,” Hixon said. “I wasn’t surprised, however. Knight-Thon is more than an organization, it’s a culture on campus. Students truly are ‘for the kids’ and I could not be happier.”
Hixon doesn’t know what the 2016 Knight-Thon goal will be set at, but he still plans to be involved after he graduates.
“I’m very, very excited to come back as an alumnus for Knight-Thon’s 20th year,” Hixon said.
