“Love is in the air, all around us and everywhere.”
This week always makes me think about those song lyrics by John Paul Young. Yesterday, the most anticipated unofficial holiday known as Valentine’s Day arrived, and I would love to hear how your day of love was.
I know that last week I was extra busy here at The Park, sending lots of love around the country, even around the world. Last week, my wife and I sent both of our daughters little Valentine’s Day packages that included a card, some candy and a little gift to remind them how much they are loved!
Now, I don’t know if it is because they are the daughters of a mailman, but my daughters love getting mail (except for the bills!). Marykate called to thank us for her V-day package, and said it was the best day as her mailbox was “full of love.” Not only did she receive our package, but a card from her Aunt Joanie, one from her Aunt Alice, one from a friend who currently lives in San Diego and one from her sister up in Boston…and no bills!
I was thinking how this unofficial holiday probably delivers the more amounts of flowers than any other day of the year. And besides Halloween, I’m sure more candy is given out this day than any other day as well. For those of you gentlemen, who for some unknown reason did not give your sweetheart any of the aforementioned (card, flowers, and chocolates), please stop by my office so I can help you navigate how to get out of the doghouse! In general, I think diamonds will fix this doghouse doom! Marilyn Monroe said it best in the movie classic “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
My wife and both daughters have a favorite diamond, and it isn’t what you would think. (It’s actually my favorite diamond as well, with the baseball diamond coming in at a close second.) The Four Diamonds Fund.
The Four Diamonds Fund was established to assist children being treated for cancer at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research.
Most of you are familiar with Penn State’s largest student-run philanthropy in the world, the dance marathon (THON), which helps this amazing fund. Since 1973, THON has raised more than $55 million—more than $7 million last year alone. Every year, this event involves more of the student body than anything else, from the dancers, morale teams, entertainment, and THON overall to my personal favorite, Mail Call. It not only involves the university, but sponsors from throughout State College and beyond. (Check out my photos of THON in the gallery at the right.)
I always love to find out what the theme is for the upcoming THON year. This year’s slogan is “Together Without Limits.” For those of you State College residents out there who have never attended this event, go up and check it out this weekend. I think this theme shows that you do not just have to attend Penn State to be a part of this great fundraiser.
It is held at the Bryce Jordan Center, with free admission! If you stay long enough, you may even start to learn the line dance, which is done about once every hour, for all 46 hours! It doesn’t matter what time you choose to show up: this is a non-stop, entertainment-filled weekend! I plan on being at the BJC for most of the weekend, so if you see me there, feel free to come over and say hello and we can dance a little!
I love that Valentine’s Day and THON weekend fall within the same week here in Happy Valley this year because it shows that love is universal and it can be expressed by more than just words, cards, flowers and chocolates. Love can be the giving of your time, energy, and support to a cause greater than yourself, The Four Diamonds Fund.
Now that’s a real gem.
