As the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon approaches, dancers have many things to look forward to, and encouraging treats will be abundant this year.

Thon's marketing committee makes pre-Thon bags for all dancers, the contents of which are donated by many companies, said Jill Caughie, Thon morale chair.

"Nike has donated the dancer bags for about four or five years now. Everything inside the bag is donated as well," she said.

Adam Duff, Thon overall, said the bags include many things to keep dancers motivated.

"In the bag, they get little things like a tennis ball to rub your feet, it feels really good -- really anything for your feet will feel good -- a mug from Subway, some crosswords, and other little stress-relievers to use throughout the weekend," he said.

Scott Upright, Thon marketing overall, added to the list of contents.

"Gatorade donated water bottles and towels. There will be picture frames, coupons and other little gadgets to keep dancers busy and to reward them for all their work for the kids," he said.

Megan Quinn, a Thon 2003 finance committee member, said dancers appreciated the gifts last year.

"They really loved them. The only problem was that sometimes individual moralers gave the dancers stuff that was already in the pre-Thon bag, but they still really liked them," she said.

Thon's morale committee organizes care packages and the mail call, which is scheduled for 3:30 a.m. Sunday, to support dancers. Caughie said the organization of separate care packages from the morale committee had changed a little this year.

"The package distribution will be a little different this year. The dancers will now receive a package from morale before Thon as well as the mail call during Thon," she said.

Caughie stressed the importance of the mail call to dancers.

"Friends and family send in stuff for two weeks before Thon. This stuff includes games, magazines, cards and other personal items that act as a lift-me-up for the dancers. The mail serves as a reminder that people are supporting the dancers," she said.

Krista Dolak, a Thon 2003 dancer, agreed that the mail call is uplifting.

"It made me feel like people were cheering me on. It was really exciting to receive mail; it helped keep me energized during the long hours of Thon," she said.

Moralers often make individualized gifts for their dancer for more personal support.

Lauren Duffey, a moraler, said she intends to encourage her dancer in every way possible.

"Every time it's my shift, I will bring my dancer something. I'm going to decorate her locker, make her signs and give her extra fun things like coloring books, to pass the time with. I'll also go get her anything she needs," she said.

Many organizations are also planning to give their dancers care packages to help them through the 48 hours of Thon.

Christina Caruccio, West Halls Residence Association (WHRA) Thon chair, knows the importance of care packages.

"When I was dancing last year, I had them. It's a nice gesture to show our support. Care packages are like little bags of joy to help [dancers] get through Thon," Caruccio said.

Carruccio said she and her WHRA Thon committee put about 20 hours of work into this year's packages. The four dancers for WHRA will receive the bags as an encouraging surprise when they start to get tired.

Thon begins at 7 p.m. Friday in Rec Hall and continues until 7 p.m. Sunday.

For friends and family members visiting dancers, Duff recommended some gifts of encouragement.

"Bring games, crosswords or something funny that passes the time. Pictures often keep dancers' spirits high. Bringing their favorite snack or something from downtown will help them; a lot of the dancers enjoy that stuff," he said.