Being my first post after THON and being a volunteer at THON it is only appropriate that today's post to be about THON. If you don't know, THON is the world's largest student run philanthropy.
Most people only think about the 46 hour dance marathon where no one is allowed to sit as being THON.
In reality this event just caps off an entire year of hard work. The year between each THON weekend, the dance marathon, is filled with lots of fundraising. All different types of organizations focus on raising money for THON, whether it be there main purpose or something they do on the side, for the year leading up to THON. Fundraising goes from sending letters, emails, social media campaigns, canning, canvassing, and a variety of events to make money all for THON.
What does THON do with all this money?
THON's only beneficiary is the Four Diamonds Foundation which uses the money to help families with kids diagnosed with cancer pay for treatment and other services where insurance stops. Thanks to Four Diamonds, these families never see a bill and can focus their attention on their children.
Four Diamond Sign
Left over money goes to Hershey Medical Center. They use the money to continue researching possible cures for pediatric cancer.
What I Did:
For THON this year, I was on a Rules and Regulation's committee, which is pretty much security. We had meetings every Wednesday since October to learn everything we needed to as well as become close with the people we would spend the weekend with. I was always in charge of icebreakers
The weekend of, I had my first shift 3PM- 8PM Friday and my last shift 5am- 10am Sunday. Each shift was slightly different and provided a new perspective on THON. In the beginning, no one was there yet but we were next to the floor when the dancers arrived and got to see their excitement for the challenge that was in front of them.
We also got to be back stage and on the floor in the beginning when families were first there. Some of my committee members got soaked by the kids' water guns. While next to the stage we were guarding certain areas, answering questions, looking for people sitting, and keeping an eye out for anything suspicious that may need more attention.
After this and for almost every other shift we were in the stands. When in the lower bowl of the BJC we were in charge of patrolling the aisles to make sure everyone in the section was standing and not breaking any other rule, guarding portal doors and closing them as necessary, and watching the concourse.
In the upper bowl, we were just in charge of watching the stands in our section to make sure rules were being followed.
It was really cool to see the event going on from different locations in the BJC and witness the entire stadium shake and fill with energy during special events- pep rally, family hour, ect.- and every line dance no matter what time it was.
What I Learned:
In regards to security, I learned people feel a sense of entitlement even when it is no where near justified. One shift I was working the gate because we needed to build a human wall. People were trying to burst in when the building was at capacity and were arguing with security when they were told they had to wait and couldn't enter at that point. For an event that was supposed to be about others this shocked me a bit.
I also learned the true definition of a support group. During family hour everyone in the BJC had there arms around each other as they were watching the Celebration of Life video. This was probably the most powerful thing I have seen. Thousands of teens coming together and truly uniting no matter their organization or reason for being there to support the kids and families going through things most of us can, thankfully, never understand.
Throughout the weekend, my committee was a support group for me as we all helped each other get through the long shifts when we could barely stand anymore. I have never been more relieved to get off my feet, eat, and sleep than after a shift.
My Captain
Finally I learned the total really doesn't matter. While it is always nice to surpass last years total THON went through a lot this year and still being able to raise almost $10,000,000 is truly an impressive task. Plus, we are not there for the money were are there "For the Kids" and it is important to remember this throughout such an overwhelming weekend as THON.
With this being said, I also learned THON is not for everyone. Some people would rather stay at home and maybe check in on the live webcast now and then and this is completely okay! People should be able to experience this event as well as any other in any way they want to.
My faith is restored that people are willing to volunteer. I just wish I saw them doing it for more activities than THON.
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