READING, Pa. — The Berks County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association (PSAA) presented a check for $5,000 to the Berks Benefitting THON student organization at its annual dancer send-off at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Perkins Student Center Lion’s Den, Penn State Berks.
The donation is a result of proceeds raised through Reading Royals Night, an event sponsored by the Berks County Chapter of the PSAA and the Reading Royals on Jan. 21. A portion of the cost of every ticket sold through the event website was donated, and the Royals players all wore special Penn State Ice Hockey-themed jerseys that were autographed and auctioned off after the game. The check also includes a matching donation by the chapter.
In 2016, the grand total raised by THON was $9,770,332.32. So far this year, Penn State Berks has raised $55,775.38 in support of THON, an increase over last year’s fundraising efforts which resulted in $51,622.59 raised by Berks Benefitting THON.
Mike Rowley, PSAA President, stated, “The Chapter remains committed to this cause and is pleased to donate $5,000 to the Berks Benefitting THON organization. We also want to thank the community and our friends who attended our events and donated time and money. The Four Diamonds is more than just an organization, and THON is more than just a 46-hour event; it’s a movement and a belief that one day pediatric cancer patients can be cured. It’s a commitment and a pledge that we will not let cancer win. Until a cure is found, we will not rest.”
From Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19, Penn State students from every campus will gather at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University Park, for THON, the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon to benefit the Four Diamonds, which supports families battling pediatric cancer.
This year’s Berks student dancers include senior Anna Lau, and juniors Michael Aboulhouda, Amanda Alpuche, Marissa Catteau and Kailen Moyer.
For more information or to make a donation to THON, contact the Campus Life Office at 610-396-6076 or visit thon.org. Go to the drop-down window labeled "Please give the following organization credit for my gift" select "Berks" or Org #77.
About THON:
In 1977, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known as THON, established its relationship with the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds directly assists the families at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, while funding research in pursuit of a cure. To date, THON has contributed more than $127 million to support children and their families fighting pediatric cancer. Every year, more than 15,000 student volunteers devote their time and effort to raise money through fundraising events. The hard work of each and every volunteer culminates every February during THON weekend for a 46-hour dance marathon celebration in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.
Berks Benefitting THON, a student organization at Penn State Berks, works collaboratively with THON at Penn State University Park to raise funds and spread awareness of pediatric cancer. The student organization holds fundraisers throughout the year, including a 5K run/walk, Vera Bradley and sports bingo event, and a Polar Plunge held in January, just to name a few.
