Before everyone across the country begins March Madness, we have right here, right now, February Fabness.
While all the men’s and women’s basketball teams are playing for a chance to dance in the NCAA Tournament, Happy Valley’s biggest dance of the year is about to begin.
I’m talking about none other than the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), the incredible act of philanthropy that involves and touches hundreds, actually thousands, of lives. Three little words, even simpler letters, have changed so many lives. FTK — For the Kids.
In my previous column I wrote about Valentine’s week and all the flowers, candy, cookies and thoughts of love that this holiday conjures up. I also wrote that there are many different kinds of love in the world and that love is indefinable and means something unique to every individual. THON is a perfect example of this.
THON is not just a 46-hour dancing event but, like love, is also a 365-days-a-year commitment of caring and preparing hope, help and happiness. Right now, THON is the most powerful word here in Happy Valley!
For anyone who has attended a home football game at Beaver Stadium: You know that feeling right as the drum major runs through the Blue Band and does his flip, and all of the hairs are standing up on the back of your neck and you have to remind yourself to breathe? The whole THON weekend encompasses that feeling.
A lot of times this university can seem extremely big. But for this event, everyone is at least part of a big family. The students of Penn State should be congratulated and applauded for all their efforts toward the largest student-run philanthropy.
I think a lot times the impression is that college kids are selfish and completely unaware of the world outside their campus lives. THON is a perfect example of how wrong that impression actually is. So many students dedicate an unbelievable amount of time and energy to this amazing charity event. I am so very proud of you all!
Although I’m sure you all believe that you know a lot about THON, I’d like to take this time to share with you what I’ve experienced with THON.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been (a very small) part of this amazing event for 20-plus years. In 1989 (maybe some of you weren’t even born yet), I was asked to hand deliver mail at the White Building. At 9:30 Saturday night, I delivered approximately 300 pieces of mail to the dancers. I had the help of two people, and it was a night I remember to this day. Many years later, this moment at THON has come to be known as Mail Call.
I’ve watched it go from the White Building, to Rec Hall, to its most recent home, the Bryce Jordan Center. And with each new venue, the more love and commitment has grown, just like the building. From my first year, with 300 envelopes, to last year, where a tractor trailer in the BJC parking lot was full of envelopes, cards, letters, packages, games, ‘Thank You’s, encouragement and, you guessed it, love.
For the past several years, I’ve introduced Mail Call at 3 a.m. Sunday. I love hearing ‘Wait a minute, Mr. Postman…’ playing on the loud speaker, and the adrenaline rush I get is indescribable.
What blows me away even more than that very moment is in the week that follows THON, when so many dancers stop in to see me and thank me for their mail. That they have the courtesy to stop by to me is so humbling. What these Penn Staters have accomplished every year since THON began in 1973, there are no words to describe. To date, THON has raised more than $50 million for the Four Diamonds Fund. You would think that I could come up with 50 million words for that, but only one comes to mind: Love.
The administration of Penn State University has to be the most proud in the nation. Even though every year around this country, there is one school that gets the honor of this National Championship or that National Title, for the past 37 years PSU has done it all FTK.
From just the everyday mail that comes through The Park requesting donations to this great cause to when I visit my daughter in Philadelphia and see the canners on street corners, THON allows everyone and anyone the opportunity to contribute. Last October, in Michigan for the football game, there were canners. Unbelievable.
Every year there is a dedicated theme, line dance and goal to exceed last year’s earnings. This year’s slogan is ‘Love Belongs Here.’ As a parent and a member of the Penn State and State College community I can’t think of a better slogan.
From its beginning in 1973 in the HUB ballroom with 78 dancers, raising $2,136 after 30 hours of dancing, to 1982 when at the kickoff dinner Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti spoke of the loss of his brother to Leukemia, to 1987 when this event officially became known as THON — every year is unforgettable.
Last year, my daughter brought a long-distance colleague from work who was visiting the states from his home in Budapest. They drove here at midnight to experience Mail Call and Peter, the world traveler, was speechless.
He went on to visit New York City, Las Vegas and Miami and upon his return home, he e-mailed my daughter a ‘Thank You’ for introducing him to a cause that anyone worldwide can relate to.
He donated this year. Have you? Please take this opportunity to donate your time, you ideas, your pocket change to such a great tradition here at Penn State.
For the Kids and For the Glory, good luck to everyone this weekend and Fight on State!
