Freshmen and students who may be new to Penn State and who wish to learn more about THON or how to get involved are invited to attend the New to THON event that will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.
Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon Overall Communications Chair Jenna Adams said students will be hearing from the 11 different committees that make up THON. The members will explain what each committee does as well as their responsibilities. This event is to help “spread awareness” of the group as well as to help “freshmen understand how they can impact a community,” she said.
Adams (senior-kinesiology) said that she personally learned about THON through her high school's mini THON during her senior year and decided that this was something she wanted to get involved with.
“Growing up I had a great childhood and my goal is to help others have the same childhood and to follow their dreams,” she said.
Will Martin, overall THON chairman, said that there will be tables set up with representatives from each group so that students have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the members about questions they might have about the groups or THON in general.
Martin (senior-communication sciences and disorders) said that this is a great chance to learn about THON and how it benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
To help get the students even more excited, they will be showing the THON 2013 promotional video in hopes of sparking more interest, he said.
Cat Powers, overall public relations chair, said there will also be cookies and a DJ playing music to get the students excited about the event.
This event will help students understand how they can personally get involved and to help them narrow down what they can do to help out the cause, she said.
Powers (senior-public relations) said that she personally “THONs” because it “makes such an incredible difference for these kids and families.”
There is “tangible evidence” of the impact that THON has had whether it’s the Penn State Hershey Children’s Medical Center, or the smiles on the kids’ and families’ faces that come to THON, Powers said.
Martin said THON is for the families and children who have to wake up every day and are impacted by pediatric cancer.
“I THON in hopes that one day we will be dancing for a cure,” said Martin.
If students are unable to attend the New to THON event, they are more than welcome to email any of the THON’s overall chairs or even stop by the THON office, which is located upstairs in room 210 of the HUB, Martin said. Email addresses for the overall chairs can be found on the THON website.
To email reporter: cyg5125@psu.edu
