El Jefe’s Taqueria open for 20 hours, all “For The Kids”

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – El Jefe’s Taqueria, a Mexican restaurant, is donating 100% of its sales to THON on Tuesday.

According to a current THON 2024 hospitality captain, Emily Granito, a fourth-year majoring in architectural engineering, last year’s ‘El JeFTK’ raised over $22,000. She’s hoping the longer crediting hours will break last year’s total.

Located on E Calder Way and Hiester Street, it will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Andreas Lysandropoulos, the part owner and regional manager of El Jefe’s, explained the business’ objectives while preparing for the long day.

“We’re known for the quality of our food. Everything is fresh. Everything we make, we do it in house: all the marinades, all the veggies, all the trimming of the meats. So there is only so much you can do in advance, you know to keep that quality going,” Lysandropoulos said.

Although, with a thousand customers walking through El Jefe’s doors each weekend, El Jefe’s staff was prepared by restocking the drink cooler and grilling various products at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Lysandropoulos shared his own personal anecdote. “When I went to the dance marathon last year, it was the very first time ever that I went and it really touched my heart in a way that nothing else has before, it’s amazing.”

He said that donating 100% of proceeds to THON isn’t a sacrifice, but a way to give back to the community and “to help those who help others.”

Gabby Rivera, a fourth-year majoring in political science, said “I sometimes don’t go to [THON] fundraisers if the line is really long, but this one I still came to because it was 100%.” She visited to credit her sorority at 11 a.m.

“This is a small way of saying ‘thank you’,” Lysandropoulos said. He continued to say by benfitting THON, El Jefe’s is able to gain customers it normally wouldn’t attract.

“Hey we’re here and we’re open 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. and the quality of the food is going to be the same from when the doors open to when the doors close,’” Lysandropoulos said.

Fundraisers involve more than just the businesses. THON hospitality captains stay on the scene for customers to credit their chosen organization.

Granito said that she changed her normal Tuesday routine by sitting outside El Jefe’s between classes, instead of completing homework.

“The energy is so awesome and knowing it's so early in the THON year that we’ll get so much money credited is incredible,” Granito said.

“This is my priority today crediting ‘El JeFTK’, coming back later even when I’m not scheduled,” Morgan Motycki, THON hospitality captain and fourth-year majoring in journalism, said.

Motycki said last year’s ‘El JeFTK’ line, at one point, reached Beaver Avenue.

When an off campus business benefits THON, all customers are encouraged to credit an organization, THON committee, or Independent Dancer Couple (IDC) through THON Hospitality Captains. An individual’s receipt, when credited, is donated to their group’s THON fundraising total.

THON, a student-run philanthropy, works towards financial and emotional support to all families affected by childhood cancer, which is sponsored by THON’s beneficiary: Four Diamonds.

THON 2024 Weekend will be held in the Bryce Jordan Center on Feb. 16-18 where chosen volunteers participate in a 46-hour dance marathon without sleeping or sitting.

Natalie Simone is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.