Local schools set to host Mini-THON activities
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Students at Bishop McCort Catholic and Westmont Hilltop high schools are gearing up to host Mini-THON events to benefit the Four Diamonds organization, which helps families who are battling childhood cancer.
Bishop McCort will celebrate its 10th anniversary of Mini-THON from 7 p.m. March 21 to 7 a.m. March 22.
'The impact is most important because every single donation, even if it's just $1, can change someone's life,' said senior Sydney Kaminsky, event chairwoman. 'If McCort can make a difference that's something that we want to do,.'
This year's theme is 'Let's Glow Crazy for Kids!' It will feature glow-in-the-dark decorations with neon and blacklights.
Kaminsky said the event will kick off with a prayer service.
'We'll have a dance party for about two hours and then we'll split up and do different activities,' she said. 'We'll have meals throughout the night, and this year we're having a masked singer event. We'll also have different sporting events and tournaments along with inflatables, challenges for prizes, a mini golf room, a tie-dye station, arts and crafts and board games.'
Kaminsky said about 150 students are expected to take part.
'Everyone involved has been trying to find sponsorships, and each person has their own donor drive where they can ask friends and family for donations,' she said. 'Everybody looks forward to it.'
This year's goal is $45,000.
To date, Bishop McCort has raised $270,000 for Four Diamonds.
'It's incredible that even as a small high school we've been able to make that big of a difference, and it feels really good,' Kaminsky said. 'Every year our goal gets bigger and we raise more money. We try to make the event as big as possible and spread the word.'
To donate to Bishop McCort's Mini-THON, visit fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=4537.
Westmont Hilltop brought back its Mini-THON last year to great success and organizers are hoping to surpass expectations this year.
'We're raising money for a good cause; it's all for the kids,' said senior Joseph Nibert, event chairman. 'Everyone loves Penn State's THON, and we want to foster that same environment.'
The event will run from 6 p.m. March 21 to 6 a.m. March 22.
'It's 12 hours long, and we'll have meals throughout the night along with a different activity every hour,' Nibert said. 'We'll have sports tournaments like dodgeball, volleyball and spikeball, and there will be games like 'Family Feud' and trivia, karaoke and dancing contests.'
He said 145 students plan to participate in the event.
'It's a long night, but everyone really makes the best of it,' Nibert said. 'It's a lot of fun because we're all there together in a great environment.'
He said this year's goal is $30,000, but they've already hit that mark.
'Now we're trying to push to $40,000,' Nibert said. 'We've reached out to local businesses asking them to be a sponsor, but most of the money is raised by the students who ask friends and family to donate.'
He said it's awesome to see so many students wanting to fundraise and be a part of the experience.
'This is a selfless service, and we're raising money for a greater cause,' Nibert said. 'It gives students something to look forward to, and it's a fun event while you're doing a good thing.'
Those interested in donating to Westmont Hilltop's Mini-THON can visit fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=4497.
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