Activities such as a trip to the University Creamery or a meal in the dining commons might seem commonplace to Penn State students, but to Four Diamonds children, these are wishes come true.

The children of the Four Diamonds Fund and their families had their wishes granted as part of the Penn State Wish program, organized by the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon family relations committee.

An excited 2-year-old, Jason Heisey, wished to have his picture taken with the Nittany Lion.

"He's seen the Nittany Lion in the hospital," his mother, Wendy, said. "He's always liked him."

One of the more popular wishes of the children involved was participating in a Penn State basketball game. They were given the opportunity to be a water boy or girl or a cheerleader for the team. Many of them returned to the family relations center with the traditional pointing foam fingers and smiles.

"We thought that the children at Penn State should have the opportunity to do some of the cool things around here," said Suzanne Green, a Thon family relations captain.

The children had their wishes granted throughout the day on Saturday. Members of the Thon family relations committee guided them to the different locations. In the Waring Commons study lounge, set up as the family relations committee's central location, children happily ran with water pistols as they either returned from their wishes or waited to take part in them.

"Everyone was given the opportunity to have a wish," Green said. "Seventy-three children chose to participate."

The children listed their top five choices of wishes from more than 20 activities revolving around different aspects of Penn State. These choices ranged from eating in a Penn State dining commons, taking a limousine ride around the campus, going on a trip to the University Creamery and playing catch with members of the football team.

"I think the kids were really excited to interact with Penn State students and the local community and to immerse themselves in Thon," Green said. The Quell family went on the limousine ride around the campus. Jared, the family's Four Diamonds child, got the chance to see Beaver Stadium and to have a picture taken at the Joe Paterno statue.

"It was wonderful," Lisa Quell said. "The kids enjoyed it a lot."

Quell said this year was the family's second time participating in Penn State's Dance Marathon, and the Penn State Wish program helped them to become more involved.

"We tried to come earlier to see more of it. There's just so much love here," she added.

Amy Nawrocki, family relations chair, said the research for setting up the wish programs for the children began in October. She said the groups involved in granting the wishes were very cooperative and donated most of the services.

"Everyone was so wonderful," she said.

Nawrocki said that with the success of Penn State Wish this year, the family relations team hopes the program will continue in future years.

"I feel that it's been an incredible success. We couldn't have asked for anything better for our initial year," she said. "I hope that it's a tradition that continues."