Mini-THON events raise money for Four Diamonds Fund
The Meyersdale Area High School National Honor Society hosted their annual Mini-THON events recently, raising nearly $6,000.
The Meyersdale Area High School (MAHS) National Honor Society (NHS) hosted three Mini-THON events last week, raising nearly $6,000 to support the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Since its inception, this MAHS tradition has raised more than $60,000!
“We raised $5,795.93 Our goal was $6000, so we were pretty close,” explained Bree Yoder, NHS Advisor. “I’m impressed with how well each event turned out. As this is my first year leading the events, I was nervous and not sure how it would go, but I’m so thankful for the generosity of our community and how hard the NHS students worked to make each event a success.”
NHS hosted a separate event for the elementary, middle and high school students. Yoder said her NHS members continue to address this important cause, spending days preparing and planning for the three events, as well as fulfilling their NHS service obligations and responsibilities.
“It is important for our students to give back to others, and this cause is directly helping kids, which makes it meaningful for our kids to be involved. I truly hope the students had fun, but also realized just how much impact a small community can have when they pull together for a worthy cause,” Yoder explained.
In addition to the actual events, NHS members “canned” donations at several sporting events, sold t-shirts and hosted two dodgeball tournaments to raise funds. They also sponsored a coin drive in the elementary school.
Elementary students played a significant role in the success of Mini-THON 2024. Students raised more than $1,500 through their annual coin drive. The competition was fierce but Mrs. Amy McKenzie’s second grade class collected the most money with a total of $201.58. Her class was followed by Ms. Carrie Long’s fifth grade class and Mrs. Janine Sechler’s kindergarten class. Mrs. McKenzie’s class will be rewarded with a pizza and ice cream party! Members of NHS would like to thank everyone who helped make the coin drive such a great success.
Laurel Daniels, NHS President, said she and her fellow members are thrilled with the success of this year’s events and grateful for the support all Mini-THON events generated.
“I believe it is so important to continue this tradition to allow the students of MASD to feel like they have a role in helping children fighting cancer. I hope that the students feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that they contributed to an amazing cause.”
In just a few weeks, NHS members will have the opportunity to attend the “original” THON event at Penn State. This will be the first year members have had the opportunity to attend THON.
“We have never had the opportunity to attend THON at Penn State before, so to be chosen to go is an incredible opportunity, and we are beyond excited to participate,” Yoder explained.
Daniels said she is thrilled to have this opportunity and is looking forward to meeting Penn State University students who share the same passion for helping the Four Diamonds Fund.
“I’m beyond excited to attend THON this year! Being the first group to go to State College is such an amazing feeling! I believe that Mini-THON has positively affected me as a person, knowing that our small school community has made a difference in a child’s life,” added Daniels.