Friday, July 11, 2008

What is THON?

Hi everyone! It’s Beth again. In my first post I mentioned that one of my favorite things at Penn State is the annual dance marathon (called THON for short). THON is a year-long event during which students plan, organize, and fundraise for the 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon held in the Bryce Jordan Center. Started in the 1970s by the Interfraternity Council, THON raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State’s very own Hershey Medical Center. The Four Diamonds Fund provides support to families affected by childhood cancer. Check out the Four Diamonds website: http://www.hmc.psu.edu/fourdiamonds/

Throughout the year there are fundraising events including a 5K run, blood drives, and “canning weekends” when students travel throughout the state (and country) and collect donations. Student clubs and organizations also hold their own fundraisers to raise money, (usually organized by a designated THON chairperson). The amount of money raised by each organization determines the number of dancers from that org. There are also some “independent” dancers which are not associated with an org, but students must raise at least $2500 just to be placed in the dancer lottery system.

This year THON weekend will be February 20-22. Over 700 dancers participate on the dance floor and thousands of other students flock to the BJC to offer their support! Throughout the weekend there is live entertainment such as bands, dance groups, magicians, and a pep rally. However, the dance marathon is not for the students, or even for the university…it is done “For The Kids” (the motto of THON – FTK!). It is done in the memory of those lost, for the courage and strength of those fighting to overcome their illness, and for the joy of those who have survived! Most of the “THON families” (those families under the support of the Four Diamonds Fund) also visit the BJC during the weekend, so there is always plenty of little kids running around (many of them carrying water guns!). THON weekend is a campus-wide party in the BJC – I definitely recommend checking it out!

Besides dancing, there are tons of other ways to get involved with THON. An easy way is to join a student group on campus and talk to that group’s THON chairperson. They will be able to tell you about upcoming campus-wide events and fundraisers. They are also there to help brainstorm ways the group can contribute to the event. The International Student Council (ISC) is new to THON this year, and I’ll be the THON chair for the group J
There are also 8 different THON committees for students to join (Finance, Hospitality, Morale, Public Relations, Communications, OPPerations, Special Events and Rules and Regulations). For more information on the THON committees visit: http://www.thon.org/getinvolved/students/committees.php . Applications for committee positions are usually due at the end of September.

If you have any questions check out the THON website at http://www.thon.org/ or post a comment!!

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