While hundreds of students dressed in their Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon apparel to show support for their committees, they also laced up their skates Saturday and showed off their skating skills to fundraise for the approaching THON weekend.
THON Skate offered a chance for students and local families to skate in the Penn State Ice Pavilion. The event was public, and proceeds benefit the Four Diamonds Fund in the THON total, according to the THON website.
“It’s a chance to skate, which is something that people don’t get to do often,” Caitlin McMahon, a THON entertainment captain, (senior-marketing and economics) said.
While students and local families skated, they enjoyed music provided by DJ Larry Moore, according to the THON website.
THON’s Entertainment committee was responsible for planning the event as a way for anyone to help fundraise for THON, McMahon said. McMahon also said that THON Skating is a yearly event, and is a pre-THON event to spread awareness about childhood cancer.
The fee to skate was $5 at the door, and a portion of the proceeds is being donated to THON.
While students made up the majority of the crowd at THON Skate, local families with their children also skated to show their support for the cause.
Chris Meckley watched her 7-year-old daughter, Jamie, skate for the cause. Meckley said Jamie has just started skating recently, so THON Skate also provided an opportunity for her to be on the ice.
“We thought it’d be good practice for her, and it’s also for a good cause,” Meckley said.
Among families were students representing their THON committees, shown by their apparel that went along with their ice skates.
Hospitality Captain Chloe Stein skated with other members in her committee, as well as with the others who came to support THON.
Stein (senior-psychology) said that committees were told about the event, and that it was a way to help raise money for the cause.
“This is a great way to raise awareness for THON weekend, which is quickly approaching,” Stein said.
