Behrend students make year-round commitment to THON

ERIE, Pa. — Ask any student who has participated in Penn State’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to describe the experience, and you’ll likely hear the words “life-changing.”

Keep them talking, and it will quickly become clear that the lives they hope to change are those that have been impacted by pediatric cancer — the children and family members who are served by THON’s beneficiary, the Four Diamonds fund at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

That takes more than a weekend: It’s a yearlong effort that involves thousands of volunteers, including a dedicated group at Penn State Behrend.

The Behrend Benefiting THON organization hosts a preview of the 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon, which has raised more than $236 million. Behrend dancers stage a 24-hour mini-THON, which this year began Jan. 25 in the Fasenmyer Building.

Four Behrend dancers — Jonathon Marks, Daniel McMaster, Ariana Quam and Hunter Kozlowski — will also dance at the main THON event, at the Bryce Jordan Center, Feb. 21-23.

“When I went as a freshman, THON truly changed my life,” Kozlowski, the executive director of Behrend Benefiting THON, said. “There is nothing more powerful than having an arena full of students and faculty all standing together for something they believe in. That will stick with me for years.”

Now a senior and completing a degree in electrical and computer engineering, Kozlowski plans THON-related events and raises money and awareness throughout the year.

“I know I am not going to be a super-wealthy person,” he said, “but to be able to help makes me feel super.”

Mya McElhinney, a junior in the nursing program at Behrend, serves as the group’s fundraising co-chair. She grew up in State College and regularly attended THON.

“Raising awareness is even more valuable than raising the money,” she said. “It allows us to tell these kids’ stories and help them during such a difficult time in their lives.”

The group’s efforts kick off with a tie-dying event at Welcome Week. Volunteers also solicit local businesses and ask for donations. They wrap gifts at Millcreek Mall, staff the concession stand at college events and host Bingo games at the Brookside Volunteer Fire Department.

“It’s nice to work with local businesses,” McElhinney said. “It really elevates our events, on- and off-campus.”

The group also partners with other Behrend student organizations, including the Spirit Against Cancer dance-and-cheer competition. Behrend Benefiting THON members participate in an opening dance routine and help with the event.

“I really love that unity, and the sense of coming together and bonding over a cause,” Kozlowski said.

The group partners with the Behrend golf team on a disc-golf tournament every fall. They also coordinate a THON-related promotion at a double-header with the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

There’s even a videogame-a-thon.

Behrend has the largest THON membership of any Commonwealth Campus and is typically among the top-three campus teams, in terms of money raised, McElhinney said. The group raises approximately $70,000 every year. This year’s goal, McElhinney said, is $80,000.

To contribute, visit the Behrend Benefiting THON fundraising page.

On Feb. 23, when the music stops, the dancers finally sit down and rest their feet. Their connection to THON never really ends, however.

“Some people think that after THON weekend is over, we stop,” McElhinney said. “The important part is, even though we may not be raising money year-round, we are always telling people about THON and raising awareness about pediatric cancer. These kids don’t take breaks, and neither should we.”