Hope College students participate in a Dance Marathon for Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.More than 900 students–about a third of Hope College’s total student population–danced for 24 hours this past weekend.

Their efforts raised more than $182,000 to support programs and services at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

The dance marathon began with a kickoff celebration Friday, March 6, with live coverage on WOTV 4 Women.

Hope College students participate in a Dance Marathon for Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.A family poses for a photo during the Dance Marathon at Hope College.Patients and families play a huge part in the event, and the dance marathon’s student organizers coordinate a variety of activities during the course of the school year to connect with those served by Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. During the closing ceremony, miracle children and their families shook each participant’s hand.

From the beginning to the end, the students kept up the high-energy atmosphere and excitement.