Canning Workshops Provide Safe Practices for THON Volunteers

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (September 10, 2012) -- Penn State Dance Marathon 2013 will kick off its fundraising efforts with its informative canister solicitation workshops to educate THON volunteers on proper canning practices.

There are three canister solicitation weekends, known as Canning Weekends, when THON volunteers travel outside of State College, Pa. to fundraise for the fight against pediatric cancer. Canners travel everywhere from Maryland to New York to collect funds as well as raise awareness to various communities about THON’s efforts.

Volunteers are required to attend one workshop prior to canister solicitation in order to participate in canning throughout the THON fundraising window. These workshops will include watching an informational video on proper canning procedures as well as signing an online consent form, using Penn State student ID’s as confirmation of their identity.

The Canning Workshops will be held Tuesday, Sept. 25 in 101 Chambers from 7:30 p.m.-12 a.m. and in Alumni Hall from 4:30 p.m.-12 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26 in 102 Forum from 6 p.m.-12 a.m. and in Alumni Hall from 4 p.m.-12 a.m. and Thursday, Sept. 27 in 101 Chambers from 7:30 p.m.-12 a.m.

THON 2013 Rules & Regulations Overall Chairperson, Mike Wellner, believes that these Canning Workshops will be beneficial for all volunteers. “The information we provide our volunteers in these workshops will allow for safer and more effective practices,” said Wellner. “We look forward to our volunteers’ support in our efforts to maintain safe fundraising practices.”

In addition to these workshops, THON will be providing free alternative transportation through Megabus, www.Megabus.com, for this year’s three Canning Weekends. The buses will be traveling to three popular canning locations: Philadelphia, Harrisburg and New York.

Partial funding for these buses has been provided by the Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund. The Courtney O’Bryan Fund was established in memory and honor of O’Bryan who passed away last December while traveling to host a Canning Weekend trip for her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau. The Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund supports and advocates safe traveling and fundraising practices for all THON volunteers.

All busses will depart from the North Atherton St. bus terminal, located at 1628 N. Atherton St.  The bus tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis as spaces are limited. Those who wish to utilize the transportation services must register on www.think.psu.edu, starting on Monday, September 17 at 9am and ending on Thursday, September 20 at 11:59pm. If tickets are available, those who have registered will receive an email from Megabus, allowing them to select a departure and arrival time and the ability to print their physical ticket. All riders must adhere to Megabus.com’s terms of service.

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About THON
THON (www.thon.org) is the largest student‐run philanthropy. It benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The Four Diamonds assists children being treated for cancer and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $89 million for the Four Diamonds and the fight to conquer pediatric cancer.  

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