Several Forsyth County schools are donning their dancing shoes and partnering with Kennesaw State University (KSU) to host a miniature dance marathon to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, or CHOA.

On Friday, February 10, Forsyth Central High School is set to hold the event, which will run from 6-10 p.m.

Working with KSU, the high school’s HOSA chapter, along with Otwell Middle School’s HOSA chapter and its Junior Beta Club, are working to raise about $20,000, said Steve Miller, Otwell’s principal.

Miller said this is the first time in Georgia a middle school has been a host of a mini marathon.

Originally, he said, the dance was going to be held in Otwell’s cafeteria, but “when we realized how big it was getting, I called over to Mitch Young [Central’s principal] and he agreed to have Central host it,” Miller said.

Central graduate Ryann Miller is the president of KSU Miracle, the university’s dance marathon organization dedicated to raising money for CHOA through annual dances.

KSU’s full-length dance marathon is held for 12 hours, and last year’s event raised $72,000.

The money raised at Central and Otwell’s mini marathon will go towards the overall fundraising of this year’s full-length marathon, which is scheduled for March 25-26 at KSU.

“[This event] is really being run by students,” Miller said. “I’m really pumped because our community and our students have really rallied behind us. KSU’s goal this year is $150,000 and our mini marathon money will roll up to [be included] in that amount.”

Three to four Children’s Miracle families will share their stories at the Feb. 10 event.

“I’m [looking forward] to seeing all of the hard work and efforts that our students have put into the event,” Miller said. “I want to see them celebrate. It has a huge impact on families when high school and college students embrace your family and it’s just a great event.”

To sign up or to donate, visit events.dancemarathon.com.