Kimberly Dalferes | Author

Crazy, Southern, Irish Gal, Author

Why I Love Millennials

by

**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

Comments

  2. 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!

  4. 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.

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

    Kathi

  11. 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

  13. 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. 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. 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 !

Random Kimba Musings

Upcoming Events

"Bringing Your Book to the World: Book Launches, Signings, and Publicity", 2017 Virginia Writers Club Symposium, Charlottesville, VA, Saturday, August 5, 2017 http://www.virginiawritersclub.org/event-2484727

MORE INFO COMING SOON - Bridgewater Plaza Fall Festival, Saturday, October 14, 2017, Moneta, VA

"What's Creative About Nonfiction?", Reston Regional Library, Fairfax, VA, Monday, November 13, 2017, 7:00 p.m. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/rr/