Pasta Dinner Feb. 4 to Support THON
Penn State York’s THON Committee invites you to mangia (that’s Italian for eat) at a pasta dinner set for Saturday, Feb. 4 to benefit THON. The event takes place from 4-8 p.m. at Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren, 646 Madison Avenue, York, Pa. Proceeds go to the campus THON committee's effort to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The Four Diamonds Fund helps children with cancer and their families. The York THON group raised about $300 during a similar event in December.
This is just one of many events sponsored by the Penn State York THON Committee leading up to the 40th Annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), the 46-hour dance marathon, set for February 17-19, 2012, at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. The theme for this year’s THON is “Brighten Every Journey.”
Penn State York broke its own record last year by raising $17,160.71, the largest amount it has ever raised for THON and made it to the top 10 in fundraisers among the Penn State campuses. The highest total to date for York had been $13,485, raised in 2009.
THON, a year-round fundraising event, is the largest single donor to the Four Diamonds Fund, at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in Hershey, Pa. The year culminates in a no sitting, no sleeping, two-day dance marathon. Since 1973 the students of THON have raised more than $78 million and have helped thousands of children and families fight pediatric cancer. Last year the event raised more than $9.59 million and broke its own record. The mission of THON is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund.
During THON weekend, more than 700 dancers and thousands of supporters come together at University Park in the hopes of one day finding a cure for pediatric cancer. Whether standing for 46 hours as a dancer, entertaining the crowd, taking care of the facility, or even sitting in the stands, every person at THON plays a small part in creating an amazing atmosphere of love, compassion, and understanding. This atmosphere inspires the students to fundraise throughout the year and tells the families of the Four Diamonds Fund that they have the care and support they need. This collective effort, involving more than 15,000 students, has become one of Penn State's greatest and most unifying traditions.
There’s still time to donate. The best way to be sure your donation is counted in time is to visit the campus or donate online. Be sure to use the dropdown box and designate your donation for York and your donation will count toward the campus total.
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