THON™ is powered by thousands of student volunteers who serve on a variety of committees, each playing a unique role in the year-round fight against childhood cancer. From event planning and logistics to fundraising, outreach, and creative production, every committee brings its own strengths and responsibilities to the mission. Here we will take a look into the different committees that bring THON’s vision to reality.
Communications (COMM)
Communications serves as the primary liaison to THON volunteers within the Penn State University community. They work to educate and empower students, faculty, and staff as to how they can make a greater impact in our fight to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
Entertainment (ENT)
The Entertainment Committee motivates thousands of THON volunteers and supporters by creating and executing video and audio entertainment at all THON events throughout the year.
Special Events (SE)
The mission of Special Events is to inspire, inform, and unite the THON community by developing and continuing a variety of events to spread the spirit of THON year-round.
Rules & Regulations Event Safety (R&R)
Rules & Regulations Event Safety is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment for all pre-THON events and throughout the entirety of THON Weekend to facilitate a positive THON Weekend experience to all THON volunteers and supporters.
Rules & Regulations Fundraising Safety
The Rules & Regulations Fundraising Safety Committee works to foster fundraising success and integrity by providing assistance and relaying necessary guidelines, while ensuring that all volunteers practice safe fundraising techniques.
Dancer Relations (DR)
The Dancer Relations Committee serves as the primary liaison to student volunteers selected to dance THON Weekend. Dancer Relations volunteers are trained in EMS and dancer safety practices throughout the year to ensure their ability to support dancers, physically and emotionally, throughout the weekend.
Family Relations (FR)
The Family Relations Committee provides year-round assistance and support to families by ensuring each of their THON experiences are enjoyable. Family Relations strives to ensure that the families remain at the heart of THON.
Hospitality (HOS)
The Hospitality Committee supports THON by working with donors both within and outside of the State College community to procure and serve all food and beverage donations at THON events.
OPPerations (OPP)
The OPPerations Committee creates and maintains a safe and healthy environment for the families and THON volunteers at all pre-THON events and THON Weekend.
Supply Logistics (SL)
The Supply Logistics Committee acquires all in-kind donations for all THON Events and THON Weekend.
Donor & Alumni Relations Alumni Engagement
The Alumni Engagement Committee educates the Penn State alumni community about fundraising opportunities and awareness campaigns. The Alumni Engagement Committee works to build and uphold THON’s relationship with thousands of Penn State Alumni.
Donor & Alumni Relations Development
The Development Committee creates and fosters relationships with THON’s growing donor base and educates the THON community about effective fundraising and awareness campaigns.
Finance (FIN)
The Finance Committee securely processes all monetary donations to uphold the integrity of THON. Finance also finalizes the THON Weekend total, the monetary representation of the THON Community’s year-long fundraising efforts.
Merchandise (MERCH)
The Merchandise Committee oversees operations of the THON Store, holds sales throughout the year and THON Weekend, manages the online store, equips volunteers with apparel that makes them easily identifiable, and designs all new products throughout the year.
Public Relations Digital Content
The Digital Content Committee serves as the voice of THON to spread awareness for THON’s mission on a local, state, and national level. Digital Content upholds THON’s unique brand identity in a way that differentiates our cause through all digital content and promotion.
Public Relations Media Management
The Media Management Committee works to spread THON’s mission to those outside of the THON and Penn State Community. Media Management develops and maintains relationships with the media while creating and sharing stories.
Technology (TECH)
The Technology Committee assists all organizations and committees by providing software solutions and technical support. This committee controls the software that provides vital functionality that enables THON to spread the mission, raise funds, and host events at scale.
To ensure that THON is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, we heavily rely on donor support. These donations provide us the resources to create endless memories for our Four Diamonds families & foster a deep love & connection to our mission for our volunteers through Pre-THON Events, alternative fundraisers, & THON Weekend.
