Students aid THON

A group of Penn State Wilkes-Barre undergraduates are doing their best to help children and to counter any negative headlines that are often associated with today's college students. One way that Penn Staters are making a difference is through their participation in the largest student-run philanthropy in the world known as THON. For nearly 35 years, participants of THON have raised more than $46 million dollars and have helped thousands of children and families fight pediatric cancer.

At the Wilkes-Barre campus, sophomores Courtney Senghaas from Nuangola, Bryan McLaughlin of Dallas, and senior Melissa Gunshannon from Kingston are helping the community in ways that will leave a lasting impression. The THON volunteers have been coordinating year-round fundraising activities to benefit the 46-hour dance marathon. In a statement from the planning committee, Gunshannon says, "The success of THON is only possible because of the enormous commitment made by the entire Penn State community. Last year, Penn State Wilkes-Barre donated over $12,000.00 and this year we're hoping to raise even more." All the proceeds go to the Four Diamonds Fund at the Hershey Medical Center to help fight childhood cancer.

THON is scheduled for Feb. 20-22, 2009 at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. Several hundred dancers and thousands of supporters will come together for what has become one of Penn State's greatest and most unifying traditions.

For THON information contact the Student Activities office at 675-9284 or e-mail Jackie Warnick-Piatt at [email protected].