WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks dancers and their supporters were excited to participate in THON in the Bryce Jordan Center this year, after last year’s coronavirus pandemic precautions. Their enthusiasm was evident through their fundraising: Berks Benefiting THON raised $36,980, beating last year’s total of $36,359, and earning the fifth spot among Penn State Commonwealth Campuses.

The overall total raised for THON was $13,756,374.50. From Friday, Feb. 18, to Sunday, Feb. 20, Penn State students from every campus gathered at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University Park for THON -- the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon to benefit Four Diamonds -- which supports families battling pediatric cancer.

According to Alexa Wojciechowski, co-adviser to THON along with Aubrey Edwards and Brooke Burkey, “The students had numerous events throughout the year including the Berks Benefiting THON 5K run and one-mile walk, Cuts for Kids held each semester by Studio West Hair Salon, and various fundraisers with local restaurants including Sweet Ride Ice Cream, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Panera Bread, and others.”    

The Penn State Berks Alumni Society also presents a check to the group each year during the dancer send-off event.

The major fundraising event was the annual Inspire the Night dinner, which raised approximately $10K for Berks Benefiting THON. Several local companies partnered with the student organization to offset costs and maximize fundraising efforts including the title sponsor Customers Bank, and community partners Herbein + Company, RKL LLP, and EthnoSource.

Wojciechowski stated, “We honored Craig Poole, president of DoubleTree by Hilton Reading this year as our Lead Believer Award recipient. Mr. Poole has been a great partner in our mission to raise funds and awareness for THON over the years.”

She continues, “Time and again the Berks community has been an incredible ally in our fight against pediatric cancer through attending events and making generous donations. The Egner Group – RE/MAX of Reading is a loyal donor: they annually donate between $1,500 and $2,000. We appreciate their generosity and support in the fight.”

The Berks Benefiting THON team was represented by senior elementary and early childhood education majors Leeana Gretsky and Kaitlin Wagner, senior rehabilitation and human studies major Olivia Ahr, senior kinesiology major Josue Garcia-Bonilla, and sophomore kinesiology major Arizona Shreck. First-year student Sunni Rousnee traveled with the dancers as an alternate.

About THON

In 1977, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known as THON, established its relationship with the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds directly assists the families at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, while funding research in pursuit of a cure. To date, THON has contributed more than $190 million to support children and their families fighting pediatric cancer. Every year, more than 16,000 student volunteers devote their time and effort to raise money through fundraising events. The hard work of each and every volunteer culminates every February during THON weekend for a 46-hour dance marathon celebration in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.

Berks Benefiting THON, a Penn State Berks student organization, works collaboratively with THON at Penn State University Park to raise funds and spread awareness of pediatric cancer. The student organization holds fundraisers throughout the year, including a 5K run/walk, a polar plunge, and an Inspire the Night Dinner, just to name a few.