Over $1.6 million For The Kids: 100 Days ‘Til THON

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State’s HUB-Robeson Center was filled with students and volunteers wearing white 100 Days ‘Til THON t-shirts to celebrate the new record-breaking total to support THON’s mission on Wednesday.

100 Days ‘Til THON is an annual celebration, hosted in the HUB, 100 days before THON weekend in February. The event began at 11 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m. revealing the Dream Forward total. The Dream Forward Campaign is the 17 days before 100 Days that has a fundraising challenge each day for all students, volunteers and THON fundraisers.

The Dream Forward campaign and the THON community more than surpassed their original goal by raising $1,601,849.07 in 17 days.

The event, which began in Alumni Hall, had various events throughout the morning to keep energy high, volunteers entertained and showcased a hint of what THON Weekend’s stage will be like.

There were dance performances from on-campus dance organizations including Orchesis, JaDhoom, Whiplash, and Island Fever. Along with doing the Line Dance and a performance from Harmony, a performing arts organization featuring students and volunteers with special needs.

For the past 6 months, the two main organizers of the event, Devon McGill, the special events 100 Days ‘Til THON captain, and Aidan Johnson, the special events captain, communicated with the 16 THON committees to make Nov. 8 come to life.

With old traditions and new initiatives, the THON community is always evolving and trying to revamp its events each year.

“This is the first year that we have a stage wheelchair lift at the event which we're really excited to share with everybody to make sure our community is as inclusive as possible,” Johnson said. Johnson and McGill, also, were proud of their efforts in simulating THON Weekend’s annual Friday night Pep Rally, which was the first time 100 Days ‘Til THON ever had a pep rally with student-athlete volunteers showing their support for the world’s largest student-run philanthropy.

The event’s hours are long, “it is so rewarding to see people come to visit between classes,” McGill said. Hannah Boodin, a hospitality captain and committee events coordinator, was excited about all the students, volunteers and families walking around with smiles on their faces excited for the day.

THON Weekend, still roughly three months away, still managed to gather volunteers to recognize the milestone. “Everybody still makes it a big deal,” Boodin said.

THON’s mission is to “enhance the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer.” A Penn State tradition that began in 1973, THON has worked with its sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, and has raised over $219 million.

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