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Penn State Fayette proves top campus for THON fundraising

By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus has once again claimed the number one spot among participating commonwealth campuses in fundraising for the annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon that fights pediatric cancer.

Penn State Fayette generated $70,867.37 while the 2019 THON altogether raised $10,621,683.73.

“Since 1998, Penn State Fayette has raised over $1.3 million, which is pretty amazing,” said Chad Long, manager of student affairs, who was a founding member of the THON team at the North Union Township campus as a student and now serves as advisor.

This is the 15th year that Fayette has achieved the top spot in the 22 years it has participated in THON, a 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon held annually at University Park’s Bryce Jordan Center. The weekend event, held Feb. 15-17 this year, attracts thousands of supporters who wear colorful shirts, carry signs and never sit when in the stands as they bolster the spirits of the dancers.

The largest, student-run philanthropy in the world, THON has raised more than $157 million since partnering with the Four Diamonds fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital in 1977. The funds are used for cancer research as well as pediatric cancer patients’ treatment costs not covered by insurance. Families who are helped by these funds visit THON every year and share their stories.

“What I love and say to my students on Sunday when they reveal the total and everyone’s crying with joy is ‘Never underestimate the power of a small group,”’ said Long, who reported the team also has six second-place and one third-place showings.

Long pointed out that while Fayette is among the smallest of campuses, the team is strong on passion.

“You either have it or you don’t. These students have a passion for fundraising and it shows in their hard work,” Long said.

He reported 19 campuses and colleges participated in THON this year. Fayette raised significantly more than the four campuses that followed it: Behrend in Erie raised $57,155.67, Altoona gave $46,911.63, Berks was at $44,671.39 and Scranton at $43,538.71. Long said results were revealed at the conclusion of THON at 4 p.m. Feb. 17 when everyone sits, a recap video of the weekend is shown and financial results were reported.

Taylor White, a junior from Cumberland, Maryland, who served as Fayette team chairwoman for the second year, said, “We’re so happy – being $13,00 more than Behrend, which was second place.”

White noted, “We did this with the help of the community. Fayette County has helped us get to our goal. The reason we’re so successful is because of the community support we have.”

Penn State Fayette’s THON team reorganizes at the start of the academic year in August and begins fundraising efforts in September. This 2018-29 team has 45 members.

Long said Penn State Fayette sent five dancers to THON: Austin Bixler, who danced for the second time, as well as Nicole Bush, Andrea Shuter, Kaylee Aaron and Hayley Riba.

They were among the more than 700 dancers participating with campuses, clubs and organizations given spaces for dancers depending on how much money they raised the previous year. Long said more than 1,000 teams participate in THON.

The Penn State team accompanied their dancers to THON, leaving the night of Feb. 14 by chartered bus. They stayed at a University Park hotel, slept in the next morning and enjoyed a healthy lunch before heading to the BJC for the start of THON at 6 p.m. Feb. 15.

It’s a long weekend with speeches and plenty of entertainment to keep the dancers motivated. Singer Andy Grammer, whose hits include “Honey, I’m Good,” and Mason Ramsey, 12, who gained fame after yodeling Hank Williams in a viral video, were among those who performed at this year’s THON.

“Andy Grammer talked about how he lost his mother to cancer and how much of a difference we’re making in people’s lives,” said Long.

The family stories always make the most impact.

“Everybody was very tired at THON and exhausted. The last four hours when the families are speaking, you look at the bigger picture,” said White, “and you realize why we’re there.”

“You’re having fun while participating and don’t understand the difference until the families speak and you realize you saved a child’s life,” said Long, who said THON changed his life when he participated as a student dancer. “And in addition to research, it picks up where insurances stops. That takes a lot of stress off families.”

Long added, “We all know it’s important to participate but you don’t understand the value until you participate. And every year you experience THON, it’s nothing short of magical. What happens in the building that weekend is magic.”

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