Mars Mini-THON raises more than $7,300 to fight cancer
ADAMS TWP — Students packed Mars High School Friday night for the school's first Mini-THON. The five-hour event featured games, dancing and dinner while raising money for cancer research and treatment.
The event was modeled after Penn State University's Interfraternity Council/Penhellenic Dance Marathon, known simply as THON. The 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon is held annually at the university's main campus.
Mars High School Student Council partnered with Four Diamonds to host the event. Founded in 1972, the Hershey-based nonprofit organization assists children battling cancer at Penn State Children's Hospital and supports their families.
Event co-chair Anna Schauble said even before the event began the school surpassed its fundraising expectations.
“We started out with a goal of $5,000 and we've exceeded that,” she said, adding that students already raised around $7,300 by the start of the event.
Students filed in early and found their places at corn hole games and the ice cone truck outside.
“It's going to be a night of dancing and painting and video games,” Schauble said.
By 5:30 p.m. students were packing into the school, which was decked out in balloons, games and a bounce house.
Students dispersed following dinner to play video games, ping pong and dodgeball in the gymnasium.
Students even created masterpieces during a painting event held in the cafeteria led by an audio recording of late artist and longtime television broadcaster Bob Ross, creator and host of the popular PBS series “The Joy of Painting.”
Activities culminated in a dance followed by a cup -stacking challenge.
Four Diamonds has helped more than 4,000 children and families while funding research at Penn State. With Friday's event, Mars High School joined more than 283 elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges across eight states now hosting Mini-THONs. Organized by more than 90,000 student volunteers, the events raised more than $7 million during the 2017-18 school year.
For more information or to contribute to the organization, visit www.fourdiamonds.org/mini-thon/.
