Day of Hope 2025 Recap!

By: Hannah Bukowski

Day of Hope 2025 Total Reveal; besting the previous record by over $100k.

On October 9, 2025, Indiana University Dance Marathon hosted arguably the most memorable Day of Hope in the organization’s history. From the moment the sun rose over Lake Monroe until the final total reveal in front of Sample Gates, energy and emotion filled every corner of Alumni Hall.

One of the most powerful moments came just after a record-breaking Power Hour, when the Board of Managers revealed that IUDM was on pace to make history. Directors sprinted across the room to share the news with their committees. 

Ella Self, Director of the Public Relations committee, took her team outside to share the news and said, “I felt such pride watching each of my people process the information, and then run with the challenge.”

Power Hour Total Reveal; besting the previous record by over $100k. This was raised in just 60 minutes!

Every committee took on the challenge and immediately responded with energy and purpose. Everyone, Ella noted, pushed themselves in that final stretch, even when it got hard. That collective effort paid off—not only was the Day of Hope record broken, it was absolutely shattered.

Day of Hope is long, emotional, and often physically draining. But every time she took a moment to pause and look around the room, she was reminded of why she was there. “The energy in the space was incredible,” she said. “When I needed a second to breathe or step away, I leaned on my chairs. We all supported each other, and that made all the difference.” By feeding off the enthusiasm of those around her, she and her committee were able to keep spirits high from start to finish.

Ella and the Communications Focus celebrating after she rang the bell.

After months of planning and preparation, seeing every committee show up bright and early was an emotional and validating experience. Another unforgettable moment came during Power Hour when Ella had the opportunity to ring the bell 25 times to recognize a $25,000 donation. It was a gift that had been worked on over time and represented both generosity and intentional relationship-building. More than just a number, that donation served as a reminder of the work that happens year-round and the collective energy that fuels it.

IUDM is more than just an organization for most of the people involved, and that spirit was shown on this day. “It’s a unit of driven individuals choosing to give their time and energy to something bigger than themselves,” Ella said. “Day of Hope is the perfect reflection of that. It’s a reason people stay involved.” Day of Hope, in many ways, brought things full circle.

This particular Day of Hope stood apart from what members have experienced before. The theme, “The Why Tour”, was flawlessly executed and woven throughout every moment of the day. It gave the event a deeper resonance, reminding everyone involved of the purpose behind each action. Another historic highlight was the City of Bloomington’s official proclamation of October 9 as Day of Hope, further cementing the day’s impact beyond the IUDM community. And, of course, the record-breaking Power Hour, where members raised $270,806.31, and the unforgettable total reveal numbers made it a day that will live on in IUDM history.

When asked what continues to inspire her within IUDM, Ella didn’t hesitate: it’s the people. “Everyone who shows up with their whole heart—whether they're on Exec, a chair, a committee member, or a dancer—they inspire me. They remind me why we do this.” Throughout Day of Hope, she would intentionally take moments to walk through the room, soaking in the joy, laughter, tears, and teamwork. It was in those moments, she said, that her energy was refueled.

The total reveal at the end of the night left everyone speechless. “We set ambitious goals as an organization for Day of Hope, but seeing an 8 was so far beyond what we thought was possible. There was a moment where you could hear a pin drop once those numbers went up- and then pure bliss and relief. We cried, screamed, hugged, and celebrated with our best friends and it was the most beautiful moment of the year. Turning around to see all of the people who made it happen was an incredibly impactful moment, as it would not have been possible without every single member of IUDM,” Ella said.

Day of Hope 2025 was more than a successful fundraising event, with a total of $804,724.23 for Riley. It was a reflection of everything IUDM stands for: community, resilience, joy, and heart. It was a day that reminded everyone involved why they show up, why they give, and why this movement matters. It’s a day they’ll never forget.