MEET THE 16 THON COMMITTEES (2021)

by Emma Harmer

Communications

Communications Director: Conor Barber

67 Committee Members

Organization development: help to create useful resources for organizations and THON chairs
Volunteer Education: help to brainstorm and develop theme of the information booths as well as think of new ways to educate other THON Volunteers

University Outreach: Assist at information sessions to introduce or educate them about THON and help facilitate at the mini-THON Outreach event
THON Weekend: Typically would help run concessions, staff info booths, lost and found booths, and captain sleep shifts.

Dancer Relations

Dancer Relations Director: Nick Vicidomini

552 Committee Members

Train in Dancer Wellness and EMS to ensure the safety and well-being of dancers

Organize pre-THON events like Commonwealth Dancer Retreat, Dancer Registration, and Color Wars Kickoff
Plan and execute THON Weekend events for dancers, like Mail Call, Package Call, Playground, and Theme Hours.
Create an entertaining and comforting atmosphere through decoration and activities in different areas of the BJC 
THON Weekend: paired with a dancer as physical and emotional support to ensure the dancer’s success standing all 46 hours FTK

Donor & Alumni Relations

Development

DAR Development Director: Aidan Cliff

16 Captains

Work to establish and maintain relationships with thousands of potential, current, and past donors
Review, manage, and support THON Nation Fundraisers

Help organizations reach their fundraising and participatory goals 
Take personal responsibility for the experience of all of THON’s corporate and individual donors
Foster a relationship with the local State College Community 
THON Weekend: give behind-the-scenes tours, staff donor suites, and plan receptions

Alumni Engagement

DAR Alumni Engagement Director: Eddie Issertell

16 Captains

Work to build and uphold THON’s relationship with thousands of Penn State Alumni across the country
Serve as the voice of THON to countless Alumni groups, chapters and individuals
Work to further THON’s fundraising campaigns with an alumni focus.

THON Weekend: give exclusive alumni tours, staff alumni suites, and plan receptions

Family Relations

Family Relations Director: Anne Papandreas

25 Captains

Provide year-round assistance and support to Four Diamonds Families and welcome new families into the THON Community

Provide emotional support and care through programs like Families Helping Families, the TEENetwork, and Kids’ mail Call
Pair families and organizations through the Adopt-A-Family Program
Connect families and volunteers with the Penn pal Program and Teen Mentorship Program
Plan and execute Family Involvement in events throughout the year, including Harvest Day, THON Hoops, and THON Hockey
Plan THON Weekend Events Kids Talent Show, Kids Fashion Show, and the THON Explorers Program

Carry the love and legacy of our THON Angels to the THON Community
Ensure that the families remain at the heart of our mission

Finance

Finance Director: Madison Hayes

Record check donations throughout the year entering donor information, check amounts, and organizations crediting into a system to track THON’s total throughout the year
Maintain the integrity of THON’s total by carefully tracking donations
Help count money for large volume days such as the Dream Forward Campaign and Donation Box Drop Off

THON Weekend: Staff donation stations along the concourse to assist donors and collect final donations

Entertainment

Entertainment Director: Emily Scott

48 Committee Members

Brainstorm and execute new, innovate, and fun ways to keep the crowd energized, excited and engaged during pre-THON and THON events
Plan and carry out games, trivia and contests for the crowd to participate in

Work extensively with Entertainment Captains on their respective roles to represent roles to represent the crowd’s perspective and help unify the entire BJC
Work with Several other Committees in taking their Pre-THON and THON events to the next level by engaging the crowd

Hospitality

Hospitality Director: Adam Pembleton

230 Committee members

Work with donors to procure and serve all food and beverage donations at THON events

Fuel THON’s dancers, families, and volunteers through exceptional support and service
Work water stations during THON 5K, distribute treats at 100 days, and staff concessions at THON basketball games
THON weekend: decorate, organize, prepare, and maintain all Hospitality area; service Dancer and Family meals; run the Snack Shack and concession stands

Merchandise

Merchandise Director: Sammy Papik

46 Committee Members

Spreads awareness of THON through the sales of our product in the THON Store and Special Events Sales throughout the year and during THON Weekend
Work in the THON store for 1-3 hours each week, assisting customers, and maintain a positive, enjoyable environment
Inventory committees: Help manage and count back-of-store inventory, assist in counting and organization of Blue storage inventory days

Public Relations

Public Relations Director: Sam Koon

26 Captains, 80 Committee Members

Serve as the voice of THON™ to spread awareness for THON’s mission on a local, state, and national level
Photography: Capture and preserve the memories from different events and THON Weekend. 
Promotions: Utilize marketing techniques and campaigns to promote THON events around State College and beyond.
Production: Film THON events throughout the year including THON Weekend.

Special Events

Special Events Director: Brian Seitz

105 Committee Members

Create the inspirational and informative atmosphere at events such as the THON 5K powered by PNC, 100 Days ‘Til THON, and Family Carnival
Plan the Closer to a Cure Celebration, THON Athletic Hour, and all Hair Donations, along with THON Dodgeball and THON Skate

THON Weekend: Help run concessions and parking; create and maintain the THON History Tour and the THON Museum

OPPerations

OPPerationns Direction: Lindsay Traino

500 Committee Members

Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for the Four Diamonds Families and THON volunteers

Logistically plan and prepare for all pre-THON events and THON Weekend, transforming the BJC into THON’s home
Set up: lay mats, unload Penskes, set up Dancer Storage
During THON Weekend: organized slides of strength, keep BJC in working working conditions, maintain safe/health environment (sanitation, waste removal)
Tear down: roll mats, take pipe and drape, and load supplies back into Penskes
Play a main role in THON’s zero waste initiative by ensuring proper waste management at all events

Rules & Regulations

1000+ Committee Members

Fundraising Safety

Fundraising Safety Director: Kate Colgan

Facilitate most of THON’s volunteer-based fundraising efforts
Foster fundraising success and integrity by providing assistance and relaying necessary guidelines to THON volunteers
Ensure that all THON volunteers practice safe fundraising techniques
Work alongside the Event Safety Committee to secure the Bryce Jordan Center during THON weekend

Event Safety

Event Safety Director: Emily Johnson

Create safe and secure environment at a number of THON events, including THON 5K, Family Carnival and THON Weekend

Facilitate many aspects of building management, including Entrance Plan, Floor Access, and multiple THON Weekend Events for both dancers and families

Supply Logistics

Supply Logistics Director: Nate Wilson

18 Captains

Acquire all in-kind donations (non-monetary/non-food) for all pre-THON Events and THON Weekend to ensure THON continues to give over 91 cents of every dollar raised directly to Four Diamonds
Responsible for THON Raffle, GCI, Hershey Holiday Toy Drive, Operation KIDS, Dancer Bags, Balloons, and maintaining inventory of THON’s three main storage areas

Ensure every committee has the supplies necessary to make their projects and events successful

Technology

Technology Director: Andy Donato

24 Captains

Provide software solutions and technical support
Responsible for the development, administration, maintenance, and improvement of THINK, The THON Weekend Dashboard (Dash), the THON Online Store, THON.org, and other special projects

Maintain and develop THON’s systems by taking advantage of the latest technologies

Having the opportunity to be involved in the largest student-run philanthropy in the world is an experience like no other. Even though THON may look different this year, our mission remains the same. Committee volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year so that one year we can dance in celebration. For The Kids!

(information is taken from committee of the week powerpoints)