NIU students walking past the Holmes Student Center on their way to afternoon classes today will see the beginning of a 24-hour marathon.

No, the Olympics have not been moved to DeKalb for the day. DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow will help begin a charity teeter-tottering marathon at 1 p.m. in the King Memorial Commons to support Big Brothers/Big Sisters of DeKalb.

Members of the NIU chapter of the American Marketing Association will be seeking pledges as they ride a 28-foot-long seesaw for 24 hours straight. John LaRosa, association director of public relations, said this is the first fundraiser the association has held for the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters chapter.

Susan Petersen, program director for DeKalb’s Big Brothers/Big Sisters, said passersby can sign pledge sheets to donate for every hour the students ride the seesaw. Jars also will be at the site to hold individual donations.

Petersen said the association hopes to raise $500 during the event.