Thon's original purpose is exactly what everyone says. It's for the kids. However, some people that say this phrase are the exact ones who have their other reasons behind it.

Having the honor of dancing 48 hours this past weekend not only opened my eyes to how wonderful this purpose is.

But also, I regretfully saw the underlying, self-absorbed attitudes some people take to their full advantage.

Thon has the ability to keep on going because there are many people who do truly understand its principle and work hard at making it a sensation.

The overalls, the captains and the committees are the majority.

A lot of organizations do the best they can to aid in assisting as well. They spend all year preparing and contributing in everything Thon encompasses.

But it's within these circles you find those that don't try at all yet still get the satisfaction of being included.

To many, it is a competition, a promotion or even purely for self-gratification.

Helping someone in need will always make someone feel good but it should not be the basis behind why you do it.

These Four Diamond families appreciate everything given to them and I hope they continue to get more and more.

But when I see them thanking someone for their efforts, I constantly ask the question, 'Did this person help because they wanted to or because they have a hidden agenda?"

Sororities, fraternities and independent organizations all compete to see who can raise the most money.

This is a great initiative to get money. I just wish the competitiveness wasn't what mattered to these organizations.

I mean, who cares who raises the most money? You don't care more about the kids because you were able to win.

And how about all the clothing items that are apparently so important?

Honestly, one of the most disappointing feelings comes over me when people care more about what goes on their organization's Thon T-shirt than going canning for a weekend.

They are more worried about missing a weekend of drinking and figuring out how cute their clothes will be than supporting the cause they are so "proud" of being in.

Then there are those people that come to Thon "coincidentally" after the bars close.

When someone strolls through the entrance of Rec Hall, alcohol seeping from his or her breath, eyes half open, it sickens me. These people can't even stand up on the bleachers.

Don't tell me you are there for the kids.

Having one or two drinks, being coherent and showing up, ready to support, is a totally different situation. But I'm talking about those who fall all over trying to scream a slurred "FTK."

Now, I'm not saying the money they raise doesn't go to an amazing cause, because it does.

And I'm not saying that everyone has this attitude. However, when you observe certain peoples' approaches before Thon and during it only furthers this reflection.

It would be wonderful if everyone was genuinely hearted. But here Thon becomes somewhat of a trend.

Charity should never be a trend. It should never be something one does in order to gain status or apparel.

There are so many other charities in need of donations.

However, because Thon brings with it a certain self-promotion, many forget or neglect to think about the others.

Don't misunderstand. I do not think that people should give up Thon to go raise money for something else but it's the mere fact that most people don't even realize where this money is going to or how it is helping.

They go out for at most four weekends out of a year, spend the last four hours at Thon --which are the most exciting -- and call it quits.

Little do a lot of people know or care to know that there is more to Thon then just the weekend event. There are opportunities to go to the Hershey Medical Center and visit the kids.

There are family festivals, kick-off dinners, and various other chances to really get involved.

Some do take advantage of these amazing occasions but it not near the amount that say they love Thon because of how it helps kids.

It tends to remind me of how I view a lot of celebrities and their donations. When a celeb's reputation breaks down one of the major publicity issues that they stress becomes how much of their money they donate to charities, most times to one of the larger organizations. The sad thing is that it works the same way here sometimes.

When an organization wants to make itself known Thon is the number one event to raise money for in order to gain that standing.

Thon will always be an indescribable, emotional experience for those who truly understand what it is about.

Seeing a child smile and laugh because so many people are behind them can not compare to anything else.

But saying it's for the kids is not a motto; it's the truth.