The Chicago Sun-Times said students such as junior journalism major Carrie Porter stepped out onto the dance floor Friday night with the intent to continue dancing for hours on end, all in the name of charity.

"It's really fun to be doing something with your peers like this. There aren't many opportunities to unite to help a cause beyond ourselves, the 'Me Generation,'" Porter said of the dance marathon.

"It's a really neat time where you can let it all hang out and do it for something worthwhile."

Last year's marathon at the school raised more than $700,000 and while this year's exact totals had not been calculated, the Sun-Times said all funds will go to benefit the Bare Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Evanston Community Foundation.