In 2022, as THON™ Weekend had the Bryce Jordan Center filled with students, El Jefe’s Taqueria heard its own name in the iconic line dance. Andreas Andropolis, the regional manager for El Jefe’s Taqueria in State College, still gets goosebumps thinking back to that moment that sparked the love for El Jefe’s FTK ®. This year, the State College favorite is giving back again. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 8 a.m. until 4 a.m., El Jefe’s is donating 100% of sales to THON!
“We want to be part of this, and we will do what it takes to help you in your mission,” Andreas said.
When you go to an El Jefe’s FTK fundraiser, you can expect a line out the door from about 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 am. Members of the THON community will wait 30-40 minutes for their food, but supporting this cause makes the wait worthwhile. Andreas even sees some of the same customers at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. “It just always amazes me. They are happy to be in line.”
Part of the large crowd is the food itself. Everything is made in-house, and prep starts at 7 a.m. every day. The store doesn’t even have a freezer! Fresh food, quality ingredients, and a great staff are the perfect recipe for this amazing fundraiser.
It’s always great to know you are supporting a great cause and mission, with a great company fueling the food. The fundraiser draws in staff from across the company, which owns nine locations and operates none of them as a franchise. Andreas, who lives about three hours away, says these fundraising days bring the team, and most importantly the community, together. The owners and managers of El Jefe’s always show up on the line whilethe staff runs the show. It’s all about teamwork. “We all have a part. We all have a role. But no one is our boss that day,” Andreas said.
This year, Andreas is looking forward to welcoming longtime supporters of the fundraiser as well as first-time students and new faces within the State College community. He is also thrilled that this year marks 50 years with Four Diamonds, making this year’s fundraiser all the more exciting.
“The fact that Penn State students have been committed to doing this, and there’s been many, many cases that have been cured. This is another great milestone,” he said.
His pitch for why you should come out and support El Jefe’s x THON is simple:
“Come for generous portions and get affordable, delicious food from 8 in the morning until 4 in the morning, and every bite is helping to support the community that we are all proud to be part of.”
What started as a shoutout in the line dance back in 2022 has become a full day of giving, and it’s only getting bigger. El Jefe’s Taqueria is located at 352 E. Calder Way, State College, PA. Everyone who stops by on Oct. 6 helps support THON’s mission in fighting childhood cancer. Come hungry, bring friends, and celebrate 100% For The Kids ®!
THON™ is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital because of supporters like you. Your generosity creates moments of joy for Four Diamonds children and families and empowers our volunteers through year-round events, fundraisers and THON Weekend.
