MOREAU—For the first time in the 37 year history of the Marathon Dance, students from South Glens Falls High School are attempting to reach an impressive $500,000; their highest and most daring fundraising goal ever. Since last year’s increase of $94,000 to a record of $489,716, this year’s goal is very close to becoming a reality. Fundraising for the dance has immensely grown since its conception in 1978 from $1,500 to the $100,000 stage until 23 years later in 2001, and now just 10 years later, has tripled to the $326,213 raised in 2011. Since its start in 1978, the Marathon Dance has raised a total of more than $3.6 million for various charitable causes. The donations from this year’s fundraising will go to aid 39 recipients ranging from those who face serious health problems and nonprofit organizations like the Saratoga Center for the Family and the Wilton Food Pantry. While it is based at the high school, the dance has spread to every grade level and is awaited by the entire community every year. All four elementary schools and the Oliver W. Winch Middle School help out with fundraising activities of their own such as walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, and mini-dances. One elementary school was able to raise at least $8,000. All participating students collect at least $150 in pledges and some students have raised up to a few thousand dollars each. Businesses around the community are following suit in their own ways, such as donating items for the live and silent auctions held during the dance while some restaurants donate a percentage of their profits on a given night. The dance is open to the public from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 7 and anytime after 6:30 a.m. the following Saturday.