Fifteen years and $2.2 million after the first Dance Marathon benefitted the Four Diamonds Fund, student volunteers are preparing once again for the Dance Marathon, Feb. 15 to 17 in White Building.

"The Four Diamonds Fund was conceived in order to provide financial support for families of children being treated for cancer at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center," Mary Karp, Public Relations Committee member, said.

Last year's marathon raised $671,572.92, Chris Heidrick, Internal Coordinations Committee chairperson, said.

"It is such a great cause, it's really hard to put into words what those kids have to go through everyday," Karp said.

Entertainment Chairperson Kirsten Vensel said this year's theme is "Thon on Tour."

"The 48 hours will be separated into different parts and the atmosphere will be similar to a cruise around the world," said Vensel. "It is important to think about a constant theme in order to keep the dancers into everything," she added.

Although the marathon's official start, a kick-off dinner, is two weeks away, people behind the scenes have been spending 30 to 40 hours a week organizing everything from donations of baby powder to an appearance by Bart Simpson.

Also, University President Joab Thomas, various University sports teams, local bands including the Earthtones and the Phyrst Family, and the Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot are scheduled to appear throughout the weekend.

Heidrick said 10 committees hold weekly organizational meetings and are responsible for various facets of preparation for the marathon.

"We probably spend many more hours working here in the office than we actually notice, but it goes by pretty fast since we are so busy all of the time," said Heidrick.

Each of the committees is responsible for various preparations.

-- The Public Relations Committee acts as a liaison to the public, businesses and more than 400 media sources, and prepares the Dance Marathon Magazine.

-- The ICC maintains and assists other groups while contributing to the progress of preparations.

-- The Morale Committee works to prepare an enjoyable atmosphere for the dancers and to maintain the project's goal as a philanthropy.

-- The Rules and Regulations Committee is responsible for registration Jan. 21 to 25. The group maintains the marathon's guidelines and insures the safety of the dancers.

-- The Social Committee acquires meal donations for the 540 dancers and the volunteers.

-- The Financial Committee counts the thousands of dollars in change collected.

-- The Entertainment Committee is responsible for inviting live bands, famous characters, and celebrities.

-- The Marketing Committee gets donations, from duct tape to a photocopier, from local and national businesses to offset the marathon's low budget.

-- The Reception Committee organizes the reception in Old Main, and the kick-off dinner in the HUB Ballroom.

-- The Physical Plant Committee includes students and University volunteers who clean the White building throughout the marathon.

-- The Overall Committee consists of the chairpersons from each group in addition to the overall chair, Marc Hourvitz. The committee insures the entire project's smooth operation.

-- IFC Administrative Vice President Tim Finn and Panhellenic council Administrative Vice President Laura Russel assist in preparations.

Hard work by all 10 committees has led to high expectations again this year for donations and continued media coverage. In the past, news organizations such as NBC, CNN and the New York Times have covered the event.

According to Karp, people involved with the marathon will appear on seven talk shows.