For a decade, a Mercer University student organization has been supporting families facing difficult times. MU Miracle, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, helps provide financial assistance to the families of children receiving care at a Macon children’s hospital.
“MU Miracle plays a vital role in the health care of our community,” said Taylor Skelton, Children’s Miracle Network program coordinator for the Navicent Health Foundation. “Because of their philanthropic efforts, we are able to provide resources, activities and, most importantly, hope and healing to our patients and their families. Every penny that MU Miracle fundraises goes to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital here in Macon. We are beyond grateful for their contributions and all that they do for our community.”
Through a partnership with Children’s Miracle Network, the organization hosts a variety of fundraising events throughout the year to work toward that mission.
“There’s such a large portion of children that need medical assistance that go through the doors of Beverly Knight Olson,” said Communications Vice President Ava Pifer, a senior communication studies and creative writing double-major. “Mercer always says, ‘We all major in changing the world,’ and this is how I do it personally. I really do feel like we’re changing the world in MU Miracle.”
MU Miracle has about 60 active members and 12 committees, but it tries to get the entire Mercer campus involved in its initiatives. Members collect donations and raise awareness about their purpose during Mercer events like football games and Family Weekend, said MU Miracle President Hailey Bayer, a senior kinesiology major.
They also host special challenges such as the Presidents Cup, a weeklong competition between campus organizations, and Dares for Donations, in which students and faculty agree to do dares if fundraising goals are met.
“I fight for these kids because I was one of those kids,” Pifer said. “I was hospitalized at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and also Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. It gives me a great sense of fulfillment to know I’m making a difference in both these kids’ happiness and these kids’ health. It’s very full circle for me. We don’t just look out for the kids; we look out for the entire family.”
In addition, club members participate in public outreach events at local schools and in the community, smaller fundraisers like bake sales, and service projects like making blankets for the children’s hospital, said External Affairs Vice President Erin Meeks, a junior Spanish major on the pre-medical track. Pifer said one of her favorite MU Miracle events is “Miracles on Mercer,” in which Mercer’s Greek organizations decorate their houses for the holidays and invite “Miracle Families” — families with children in the hospital — to visit.
The organization’s culminating program each spring is the nine-hour Bearthon, held in conjunction with similar events across the country at other Children’s Miracle Network partner colleges. More than 200 Mercerians and community members typically attend, Bayer said.
MU Miracle members plan a variety of activities to fill that day, including fundraising exercises, performances, games, stories from “Miracle Families,” and learning portions of a dance routine.
“It is the perfect balance of having fun … but also using the strategies MU Miracle has come up with to fundraise,” Meeks said. “I love the model that we have because you’re able to show everyone you’re contacting that you’re there on a Saturday because you love this cause and you want to support these kids.”
During the final hour, participants perform the full dance together, announce the year’s fundraising total, and join in the “Circle of Hope” ceremony, in which attendees cut off hospital bands they are wearing to symbolize hopes for better health futures for children, Bayer said.
During the 2024-25 year, MU Miracle raised a little over $36,000.
“I think it’s such a good way to give back to the community we’re a part of,” Bayer said. “It’s the best organization that I could have joined. It’s so rewarding to be able to truly see the impact you have on different families and to see the kids light up when they come to different events.”
In addition to campus events, MU Miracle members get to know the “Miracle Families” and “Miracle Kids” while leading group activities as hospital volunteers during the year.
“Really getting to hang out with them and see their personalities shine through is so amazing,” Bayer said. “You get to see kids who are going through a tough time, and you get to see kids that are past that. I’ve gotten to interact with a lot of kids and make their day better, which is really rewarding.”
Bayer said being involved in MU Miracle has also given her experience in event planning and behind-the-scenes work, and it’s been a way for her to build a community for herself on campus. Meeks said she’s forged valuable friendships with people she wouldn’t have met otherwise. The organization also teaches members time-management skills.
“I think it also just gives a tangible way to find a cause you care about and work for it,” Meeks said. “You’re going to be fulfilled when you’re supporting the people around you. I think it’s an awesome couple of years to feel what it’s like to put your heart into supporting something that you love.”
This is the third year that Dr. Laura Simon, associate professor of sociology, has served as faculty advisor for MU Miracle.
“It’s an incredible group of students that are involved in the organization. They are very driven,” said Dr. Simon. “We have a lot of students at Mercer who are interested in going into health pathways, so this is a great way to get involved in something health-related and gain that leadership and fundraising experience. And they get to meet the families and some of the kids too. It reminds them of the humans on the other side. I think that’s why students are called to it.”
