Four Diamonds Fund Mini-THON Southern Middle School’s stand for childhood cancer

Four Diamonds Fund Mini-THON The Mini-THON is a year-long fundraising initiative for pediatric cancer patients treated at Hershey Medical Center. Various school fundraisers and personal student appeals culminate each spring in a dance marathon with all proceeds to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund.

The Story of the Four Diamonds Entering 8th grade in 1972, Christopher Millard was asked to write an essay recounting the experiences of his summer. However, Christopher’s memories of the past summer consisted only of pain and sickness from battling cancer.

Instead, Christopher wrote a tale of Medieval times entitled “The Four Diamonds”. The story follows the heroic young knight Sir Millard on a quest to capture Four Diamonds of Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, & Strength that will defeat an evil sorceress. The Story of the Four Diamonds

Unfortunately, unlike the valiant Sir Millard, Christopher was unable to defeat the evils of cancer. The Story of the Four Diamonds

In tribute to their fourteen-year-old son, Charles and Irma Millard founded The Four Diamonds Fund. Their dream was to develop a fund to provide financial assistance for children battling cancer at the Hershey Medical Center. The History of the Four Diamonds

Today, thanks to the dream of the Millards, the Four Diamonds Fund provides: oDirect Financial Support-for treatment & added family support oNursing-working exclusively with the children oChild Life-education and therapy for the children oResearch-new initiatives to find a cure oSocial Workers-support exclusively for the Four Diamonds Families The History of the Four Diamonds

So where does the Four Diamonds Fund get the money to do it all?

This is the largest philanthropy in the world run completely by students. Organized & run by over 15,000 student volunteers with 700 dancers, it is the largest organization at Penn State. The dance marathon gives the Four Diamonds Fund 90% of its income. Penn State Dance MaraTHON

Dancers stay on their feet for 46 hours – that’s almost 2 days – to raise money for the Four Diamonds kids. The event takes place at the end of February each year and is held in the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State. Since the 1970s, THON has become a national buzz: Penn State students are making a difference in the lives of kids with cancer. Penn State Dance MaraTHON

THON 2010, comprised of more than 300 Captains, 700 dancers, 3300 Committee Members, and 15,000 student volunteers raised $7,838, For The Kids! And it’s contagious! Penn State Dance MaraTHON

For years, high schools and middle schools have been holding mini dance maraTHONs of their own. Local Mini-THONs oSpring Grove Middle School oDover Area High School oEastern York High School oRed Lion High School oSouthwest High School oLittlestown High School oManheim Central High School oHempfield High School Four Diamonds Mini-THONs

Cafeteria fundraisers, dollar days, & annual dance marathon have becomes traditions at SMS. In 2009, SMS raised over $10,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund! In 2010, SMS raised over $11,000! Thanks to all of the community support and the volunteer work of the students! SMS Mini-THON

Students will have the chance to become committee members to plan the fundraising events, and the chance to attend the exclusive event itself! Parents may be involved as donors, chaperones, or committee members as well! SMS Mini-THON

SMS Mini-THON 2009 Over $10,000 was raised for our very first Mini- THON held on March 6, The top fundraisers included Mini-THON founder and student council president Kristen Hedgeland. Zach Galante won the Guitar Hero championship. Special guests included an eighth- grade band and Assistant Director Linda Barry from the Four Diamonds Fund.

SMS Mini-THON 2010 Over $11,000 was raised by the second-annual Mini-THON held on March 5, Top fundraisers included Alexis Anelli, Katie Norris, & Josh Senn. For the first time, a line dance was created specifically for the event and was performed many times throughout the seven hours. The PINK team won the Color Wars and special guests included the Penn State Nittany Lion, No Artist Info (7th-grade band), & the Four Diamonds Haas Family, including a performance by Tucker himself.

SMS Mini-THON WHO: SMS community WHAT: SMS Mini-THON WHERE: SMS Cafeteria WHEN: this March WHY: For The Kids (FTK)