Students at Quinnipiac University gathered at QTHON’s Light the Way event, one of the school’s largest of the year. The organization raises money all year in support of children and families at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and the grand total is revealed at the end of the event.
The daylong event brought together students, families and members of the community to raise money and awareness through a collection of fun activities, performances and personal stories. Participants, which included fraternities, sororities and other clubs on campus, spent hours on their feet taking part in games, dancing and listening to stories from families involved with the hospital.
Throughout the event, students circled between activities such as spike ball and cornhole, while others gathered near the main stage for the scheduled programming. A DJ kept the music going all day as members of the management team led a 10-minute morale dance at the top of every hour, keeping energy levels high and encouraging participation from the crowd.
In addition to games and dancing, QTHON featured several special events, including an award ceremony and a “Dancing with the Stars” style performance that showcased students and added to the fun of the day.
A major part of the event focused on sharing “miracle stories,” where families spoke about their experiences at Connecticut Children’s and the impact the hospital and QTHON has had on their lives. These moments provided an emotional side to the event and reminded participants of the purpose behind the fundraising efforts.
Tina Fichera, whose child is a member of the QTHON management team, said the event is meaningful not only for students but also for families who see the impact of the fundraising firsthand.
“It’s really special to see how much work goes into this and how much passion everyone has for it,” Fichera said. “Hearing the stories from the families really puts everything into perspective and shows why this event matters so much. It’s hard not to be proud of everyone involved.”
Students involved in organizing the event worked throughout the year to plan and execute Light the Way, coordinating fundraising efforts, activities and performances. The event is the culmination of months of hard work, preparation and outreach.
As the day continued, participation remained high, with students staying engaged through the various activities and performances and catered food being available. Many of the participants stayed for the full duration of the event, showing their support for the cause and contributing to the overall fundraising total.
“It’s just such a beautiful event, that’s for such a good cause,” Jake Cassidy, a senior who’s a member of the QTHON management team said. “Seeing all of Quinnipiac come together for this event is so nice. We work so hard and to see it all pay off today, not even just the number, but how the day went makes it all very worth it.”
The final total of more than $240,000 marked a very successful year for QTHON, coming in as the program’s third highest total since beginning in 2011. Events like this not only raise money but also bring the Quinnipiac community together for a shared cause. Organizations, teams, and groups of all kinds, all supporting the same goal.
The event ended in grand fashion with heartfelt speeches and the grand total being revealed. There were countless smiles and a lot of laughter and tears as Light the Way was a major success and a beautiful show of unity.