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Kimberly Dalferes | Author

Crazy, Southern, Irish Gal, Author

Why I Love Millennials

February 7, 2014 by Kim Dalferes

**Updated from original posting on February 14, 2012**

Observing our world from the middle-aged cheap seats, I can recite a litany of reasons to not love what I see. School shootings, freak and destructive storms, crazy political rancor – it can all make a gal a little despondent. However, in the spirit of this upcoming Valentine’s Day, I would like to instead share that hope – and youth – springs eternal and is most certainly thriving in a place called State College, PA.

This month (February 21 – 23, 2014) something will happen at Penn State that is nothing short of remarkable. Thousands of students will stay awake and on their feet for 46 hours straight; all united in working toward the sole purpose of supporting the fight against pediatric cancer.

THON

A bit of background: THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. That’s right: all STUDENT-LED. The THON website notes that back in 1973 the first dance marathon raised $2,000. Now, over forty years later, THON encompasses over 15,000 student volunteers, 700 dancers, and has raised more than $101 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

THON 2012 child with squirt gun 

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pennstatelive/6899008101/pennstatenews/a via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/”>cc</a> 

Our son Jimmy, who was actively involved in THON and danced in 2013, implored us back in 2011 to come to State College and see for ourselves what all the fuss was about. I must admit that I was expecting to observe an enthusiastic but perhaps a bit of a ragtag frenetic jumble of students running around; dancing and singing to current hip hop tunes. Something maybe equivalent to Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney’s “let’s put on a show.” I was astounded to instead be greeted by an organized event machine, much more akin to a professional telethon. The Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), with a capacity of 16,000, was filled with not just the THON volunteers, but also thousands of additional students and supporters, all standing – never sitting – and cheering for the dancers.

THON crowdI

t was an electrifying scene, all accomplished through the love of 15,000 student volunteers. Two years later, watching my son on the BJC floor as a 2013 dancer was something I’ll carry in my heart for the rest of my life.

This year, as Valentine’s Day approaches, I’m reminded that these students, these wonderful millennials, are once again working diligently and preparing for THON 2014; steadfast in their belief that they will help find a cure for pediatric cancer. I’m beyond thrilled to offer a little shout out to the Penn State Lion Scouts and their dancers for 2014 – Corinne and Savanna. GOOD LUCK GIRLS!! 

If you are so inclined, you can support the Lion Scouts team by making a donation to THON 2014 here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1218/thon/2012/wide.aspx?sid=1218&gid=1&pgid=920&cid=3683&bledit=1&dids=1097 

Happy Valentine’s Day Happy Valley; best of luck this coming THON 2014 weekend. And, of course, Happy Valentine’s Day to you too Jimmy – thanks for everything that you, and your thousands of student friends, are doing “For The Kids.”

Additionally, for each person who comments on this blog, my husband Greg and I will make a $1 donation to THON 2014. 

Cheers,

Kimba

Filed Under: The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats Tagged With: amazon best sellers, blog, college, Four Diamonds Fund, I was in love with a short man once, Kim Dalferes, Kim Dalferes Author, Kimba, Kimberly Dalferes, middle-aged, middle-aged cheap seats, Millennial, pediatric cancer, penn state, Penn State Lion Scouts, philanthropy, The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats, THON, THON 2014, women

Comments

  1. Susan Wright-Boucher says

    February 15, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    THON rocks! Thank you so much for spreading awareness — I had never heard of it before.

  2. Marquita Herald says

    February 11, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    That is absolutely awesome Kimba. I've done a 24 hr "THON" here in Maui for cancer research but that wiped me out – I can't imagine hanging on for 46 hrs! This is a wonderful cause and I hope it's a huge success!

  3. Lizz says

    February 10, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    I wish we could hug each and every person taking part.

    Thank you for spreading the word.

    Love4JLK

  4. Helene Cohen Bludman says

    February 10, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    I will never stop admiring the plucky Penn State students who push hard to support this amazing cause. THON is one of the best things my daughter did at Penn State, among many wonderful experiences. Our family continues to support THON and always will. I am so glad you blogged about it and I hope many more will be inspired to support it.

  5. Greg says

    February 8, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    THON rocks people !!!  So join in and donate to a truly great cause !!!

     

  6. Ned says

    February 8, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    Go Corinne and Savanna!

  7. Corinne Lewin says

    February 8, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Thank you so much for writing this! Your support means the world to me!

  8. Jennifer Steck says

    February 8, 2014 at 10:01 am

    What a fantastic event! There are a lot of wonderful things happening in the world and it's great to hear about our young people being so passionate about getting involved. I can't wait to read about how it goes. There is no way I could stay up that long.

  9. Kathi says

    February 7, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    Jimmy isn't dancing this year and you are still supporting this event – that's dedication! Proud to know you and Greg, Kimba!

    Kathi

  10. Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com says

    February 7, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    What a wonderful cause and good for you for giving them support! 

    Like you say!  For the Kids!

  11. Kimba says

    February 7, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    Hi Kimba,

    That is very awesome! I am happy to hear this is happening not too far away from where I am in Philadelphia–makes me proud of Pennsylvania.

    ~Christina

  12. Sarah W. says

    February 7, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    You guys are wonderful!

  13. Karo (Rainbow Poetess) says

    February 7, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    Hi Kimba,

     

    yes, it is very uplifting that there is so much more going on at schools than the shootings. I really wish that the media gave equal attention to these wonderful happenings as they do to the shootings. These wonderful students deserve love and attention, so thank you so much for sharing the story!

  14. Vicki says

    February 7, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Once again, I'm so proud of my grandson's efforts thru THON & my daughter & son-in-law for garnering pledges in this way. Good luck to all connected to THON 2014.

  15. Terry says

    February 7, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    that is a great idea and I can just imagine all those students staying up and enjoying it so much ! Happy Valentines Day to  you too !

  16. Janie Emaus says

    February 7, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    Great post! And a wonderful idea.

  17. Keith Rutter says

    February 7, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Great post!

  18. Savanna Dybus says

    February 7, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Thank you so much for the shout out! 🙂

Hello!

Author photo #2 in colorI hope you enjoy your time here and that you come back often. Wondering what makes me tick? This favorite quote from one of the grand dames of writing, Erma Bombeck, might help: Hook 'em with the lead. Hold 'em with laughter. Exit with a quip they won't forget. This seems to be a good overall life goal, don’t you think?

Hello!

Author photo #2 in colorWelcome to The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats,  the blog of Kimba Dalferes: slayer of king salmon, estate sale junkie, sometimes writes books.
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Beaches, Bathrooms, and Books!

What kind of bum are you: beach or bowl?

Sahar bathroom picKimba’s books have been called both “beach reads” and “bathroom reads.” She prefers beach reads, but hey, if the size 11 shoe fits…Read More...

Kim Dalferes’ Latest Book…

Crazy Southern Irish Gal Two-Book Bundle

Humor writer Kimberly “Kimba” Dalferes dishes on a wide variety of topics–from days of her youth spent blissfully on the shores of Florida’s beaches to menopause and empty nests–in her nonfiction collection Crazy Southern Irish Gal Two-Book Bundle. In both titles: I Was In Love With a Short Man Once and Magic Fishing Panties, Dalferes’ crazy Southern Irish gal perspective inspires her illustrations of life’s quirky twists and turns. Together, these books offer descriptive and colorful essays on subjects such as getting a tattoo in midlife, unique uses for kitty litter, handling a rabid bat, public speaking gone wrong, and naked hot-tubbing in Vegas. Dalferes skillfully weaves what at first glance may appear to be dissimilar themes into a tapestry that invokes her life’s motto: live out loud, laugh often, and ‘occasionally’ drink tequila. Now available through Amazon Kindle.

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