THON™ 2027 Dream Forward Guide 

Dream Forward is here! Dream Forward takes place from the THON 5K on Oct. 25 to 100 Days ‘Til THON on Nov. 11 and aims to raise $1,500,000 For The Kids®. Throughout Dream Forward there are fundraising incentives, Hospitality promotions and events to help raise money for childhood cancer. 

Fundraising Incentives 

Dream Forward has different fundraising incentives to increase the impact of every dollar donated.  

• Dream Forward Matching Day: on Nov. 5 every third donation will be matched up to $100, until 6 p.m. when every other student donation will be matched up to $10, until funds run out. 

• Raise Up: Level 3: all Committees who have eight or more points through Raise Up will be entered into a lottery where the winner will be selected to host an alternative fundraiser at the 100 Days ‘Til THON Celebration. Those selected to participate will have the chance to win further crediting and prizes. 

• Committee Fundraising Challenge: the five Committees that raise the most money between Oct. 26 and Nov. 10 will get to see their Captains on stage. The four Committee Members who raise the most during this period will also be on stage! 

Please email Victoria Lara Matos, the Finance Director, at finance@thon.org with any fundraising questions. 

Campaign Event Summary 

Dream Forward is filled with events that help us come together as a community and take strides towards a cure. 

Below is a list of all the events taking place during Dream Forward with dates, times and more information: 

• THON 5K: Sunday, Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center. THON’s in-person and virtual 5K helps us take steps closer to a cure. Read here for more info or email Delaney Woodhouse at special.events@thon.org with any questions. 

• Dream Forward Picnic: Monday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the HUB Lawn. You will have the opportunity to buy Dream Forward merchandise, play lawn games and enjoy free food. Please email Emerson Brown Saville at communications@thon.org with any questions. 

• Dream Forward Trivia Night: Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. If you want to test your THON knowledge and earn crediting funds, join us in Forum 102, 105, 108 and Willard 273! Please email Emerson Brown Saville at communications@thon.org with any questions. 

• Social Media Storm: Monday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. This helps us spread THON’s mission beyond Penn State, so make sure you head to the @pennstatethon Instagram account or click here, tap into the story and add your DonorDrive link when the time comes! Please email Melanie Layish at digital.content@thon.org with any questions. 

• Phone-A-THON: Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Heritage Hall in the HUB. This gives volunteers an opportunity to spread share the Dream Forward Campaign with friends and family, with an opportunity to win crediting funds. Please email Victoria Lara Matos, finance@thon.org and Abby Loureiro, development@thon.org with any questions. 

• Throwback Thursday Merch Sale: Thursday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the THON Store. This is an amazing opportunity to build your THON wardrobe and purchase vintage THON Merchandise! Looking to get there early? For $5, you can get first access to the Merch Sale from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Please email Connor Grauel at merchandise@thon.org with any questions. 

• 2000 Degrees FTK®: Nov. 2 to Nov. 6 during 2000 Degrees regular store hours, located in Downtown State College. You can look through hundreds of pieces or make your own creation to take home! Please email Sabrina Reed at volunteer.logistics@thon.org with any questions. 

• THON Pickleball Tournament: Sunday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Picklr. Grab a paddle and a partner to compete in a round-robin style event with three guaranteed games per team. Registration at store.thon.org. Please email Delaney Woodhouse at special.events@thon.org with any questions. 

• Get Air Benefitting THON: Monday, Nov. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Get Air State College. Register at store.thon.org for a full two hours of jumping with a portion of your purchase being credited to the Committee of your choice. Please email Sabrina Reed at volunteer.logistics@thon.org with any questions. 

• Social Media Challenge: Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. to Nov. 10 at 11:59 p.m. on Instagram. Join us on the @pennstatethon Instagram and follow the steps in the caption of the Social Media Challenge post to be entered into a lottery to win crediting funds! Please email Melanie Layish at digital.content@thon.org with any questions. 

• Dream Forward Movie Night: Tuesday, Nov. 10 at State Theatre. Head over to catch a movie, eat some popcorn and credit $5 of your ticket to the Committee of your choosing. Please email Sabrina Reed at volunteer.logistics@thon.org with any questions. 

• 100 Days ‘Til THON & Dream Forward Total Reveal: Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the HUB. This is a celebration to mark the end of Dream Forward with activities and fundraising opportunities for Committees. The Dream Forward fundraising total will also be revealed at the conclusion of the event. Please email Lauren Mellas at director@thon.org with any questions. 

Hospitality Promotions 

Hospitality Promotions will take place throughout Dream Forward where you will be given an opportunity to credit a portion of your purchase at local restaurants For The Kids®. Please email Colin Spear at hospitality@thon.org with any questions. 

Below is a list of the available promotions: 

• 5K Hospitality Promotions: Idou, Kona Ice and Pretzel Spot Cafe will all be at the THON 5K on Oct. 25 for a pre or post-run treat!  

• Playa Bowls FTK®: Oct. 28, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

• McLanahan’s FTK®: Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

• Vibe Coffee FTK® : Nov. 10, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Papa John’s FTK®: Customers can use code “THON” at papajohns.com for 25% off their regular purchased menu order, with 15% of that order donated back to THON 

Help us Dream Forward together and fight for a day where we can dance in celebration of a cure.