At the historic Cobblestone Farms in Ann Arbor on Feb. 11, the non-profit organization Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan (DMUM) will host their first annual benefit gala to raise money for pediatric rehabilitation programs at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (Ann Arbor) and the William Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak).

The benefit gala, called a Night to Make a Difference, aims to provide a unique opportunity for the community to learn about DMUM’s cause, interact with children who have benefited from the generosity of the organization’s donations, and enjoy a night of good food and good company. All of the proceeds from this event will further the growth of DMUM’s numerous fundraising efforts, which includes a Dance Marathon held in March on U-M’s Ann Arbor campus.

As the largest student-run non-profit in the state of Michigan, the U-M students involved in DMUM raise funds and awareness for pediatric rehabilitation programs that help to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities. Over the past 13 years, DMUM has raised over $3 million for therapies not typically covered by most insurance agencies. By hosting the Night to Make a Difference gala, DM hopes to reach out to a wider variety of communities, demographics, and organizations to increase future participation in the organization and maximize the impact on the community.

Several Ann Arbor restaurants will be providing hors d'oeuvres at the event, followed by a silent auction, featuring items only available through DM's connections at the University. There will also be live music entertainment and guest speakers from DMUM families and hospital beneficiaries. Some of the featured restaurants include Katherine’s Catering, Café Zola, and Paesano’s Italian Restaurant. In addition, In Code, a mix of younger yet time-tested musicians, will provide the entertainment that is set to include a variety of acoustic tunes and danceable guitar focused rock songs.

For more information regarding this event, or to purchase tickets to the Night to Make a Difference gala, please visit http://www.dmum.org/makeadifference/, or send a message to dmum.info@umich.edu.