This weekend may be Halloween, but members of organizations involved with the Interfraternity/Panhellenic Dance Marathon are not asking for candy.

Instead, students will be collecting money through canning and door-to-door solicitation, Thon overall Seth Moser said. He added that there are about 200 organizations that participate in canning trips. "Most people go canning because their hearts are in the right place," Moser said. "They're trying to help the kids."

Jeff Sirkin, Thon communications chair, said the committee tried to avoid scheduling a canning trip during Halloween weekend, but it was impossible because of conflicts with other Penn State events. Home football games, the Sesquicentennial Games and Thanksgiving break left only two available weekends for canning trips, he said.

A.J. Jugan, Interfraternity Council associate vice president, said canning on Halloween would not be a problem for greek members because recent policy changes in the greek community have put more emphasis on contribution to the community and less on social functions. Because Halloween is on Sunday, students will return from canning in time to celebrate, he added.

Moser said canning participants are advised not to wear costumes, specifically masks. "It's my general impression that anytime you have a mask on, your vision is impaired," he said. "We're in the business of saving lives, and I don't want anyone in danger."

Evan Jacobs, Thon rules and regulations chair, said the Thon committee is making an effort to enforce more canning rules this year than in past years.

Legally, you must have a permit to collect money in cans, Jacobs said. He added that it is illegal to can in the middle of the street. Sirkin said some townships are cracking down on canning, and as a result, the Thon committee is promoting raising money through door-to-door solicitation using pledge books more.

"More townships are calling us and saying, 'We don't want canners here,' " Sirkin said. "We're not going to go canning where we're not allowed to. There are so many other ways to raise money, and that's really what were trying to push this year."

Jacobs said students should solicit with at least one other person, during the day and in safe areas.