Ohio FFA tradition nears total of $93,000 raised for children’s hospital

Eighty-five Ohio FFA students tied their sneakers up recently and stood at attention for four hours at this year’s Bobcat-A-Thon, an annual fund-raiser put on by the Penta-Bowling Green High School FFA chapter.

The event put on by Penta-Bowling Green High School FFA  is a “party with a purpose” to make people aware of and raise money for the patients of Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Toledo.

From the moment the first song played until the final raffle ticket was pulled, students filled the BGHS gym to benefit of children who lack the strength to leave their hospital beds. This year’s patriotic “USA Out” theme set the tone for a day packed with activities, including a spirited game of Capture the American Flag, a dodgeball tournament, relay races, yard games, crafts, and a bounce house. Students also heard inspirational stories from families touched by the work of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which further engaged them in the cause.

The night was the culmination of months of planning by the chapter, which started its fund-raising campaign last fall with its traditional Tailgate.

According to the Sentinel-Tribune, the chapter also raised funds through local businesses, a BGHS boys’ basketball game, and its always-popular strawberry sales. All the hard work paid off — the FFA chapter reported raising a total of $6,389.43 this year for the hospital.

Bobcat-A-Thon is a part of a national movement known as Dance Marathon that has high school and college students active on more than 450 campuses across the country. 

This student-powered, year-round movement unites thousands across more than 400 campuses in the U.S. and Canada, all working toward one goal: changing kids’ health to change the future. Since its start in 1991, Dance Marathon has raised more than $350 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Students can sign up as individuals, join an existing team, or start a new one. Fundraising happens all year long, culminating in a dance marathon celebration where participants stay on their feet in honor of kids who can’t. Students dedicate months of the year to fundraising and symbolically stand with kids in the fight of their lives.

Since opening its doors in 2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital — Toledo has been dedicated to bringing advanced pediatric care closer to home for families in northwest Ohio. With nine primary care centers throughout the region, the hospital offers a wide range of specialized treatments, therapies, and procedures designed to meet the unique health needs of children.

Since the first Bobcat-A-Thon in 2004, the Bowling Green FFA chapter has raised $92,982.89 in support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Toledo.