The Dance Marathon merchandise table has changed quite a bit for the better for this year’s Big Event, and the funds reflect that.

The merchandise table features different T-shirts, hats, socks, and other items, all made to represent Dance Marathon. The money made from selling the merchandise go toward the overall funds raised during the Big Event.

“It all goes towards the big total at the end, which in turn goes to the families,” sophomore Danielle Havel said.

This is the second year that merchandise has been a focus of the organization, Event Cabinet member Jessica Mielenz said, and as a result, the designs have been expanded and revamped. The graphic-design teams created their own designs and added new styles of clothes, such as a henley, hopefully to reach a wider variety of customers.

“I feel like we really stepped out of our comfort zone and tried to get styles of clothing that could be more universal,” Mielenz said.

Prices didn’t really fluctuate between last year’s Big Event and this one, she said, but the money brought in soared. Merchandise took in $20,000 last year over the course of the 24 hours, and by 2 p.m. Feb. 3, this new merchandise had already raised $18,000, still with five hours to go.

“… We still have so many hours to go, so let’s see where we can go with this,” Mielenz said.

Dance Marathon alum Sara Peterson bought a black T-shirt with “The kids are at the heart of everything we do” written in green on the front. She said she was happy to donate to Dance Marathon and hopefully get people talking even after the event.