First-ever ‘Thon’ raises $6,000
POTTSTOWN >> When is the last time you stayed on your feet for eight hours and helped raise funds to fight childhood cancer at the same time?
That’s what more than 50 Pottstown High School students did recently and in the process of staging their first-ever “Thon,” exceeded their fundraising goal by more than $1,000.
Organized through Four Diamonds, which raises funds to assist children fighting cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital and their families, the goal of the Thon organizers was $5,000.
Throughout the course of May 24 from 2 to 10 p.m., students played volleyball and basketball and a ball game in a confined space called “the gaga pit;” as well as tug of war, dancing, and a karaoke stage with open mic.
Some staff also volunteered to chaperone so that the event could take place overnight.
To participate each student had to raise at least $30.
Some of that happened in class thanks to something called “Stall Day” in which students brought a donation in change to class and the teacher had to count it before class could start.
The final tally from the event was $6,027.29.
“Words can not describe how proud I’m of the students who put together and participated in MiniThon,” said Vickie McShea, the high school’s marketing teacher, who helped the students organize the Thon.
Student organizers were: Emily Weber, President; Alex Olvera, Vice President; Julia Reisner, Decorations; Logan Ruyak, Community Outreach Chair; Jailyn Davis, Food Committee Chair.
Other student committee members included: Jayniana Williams, Kylie Farmer, Mackenzie Moser, Aaliyah Bray, and Kishan Patel.