Greensburg Salem, Hempfield Area rally around 'common goal' through Mini THON fundraisers

Greensburg Salem High School social studies teacher Matthew Boe has watched as a fundraiser for children with cancer has become a part of the district’s culture.

The district launched its Mini THON in 2015 through a student’s senior project.

A Penn State graduate, Boe is well acquainted with the idea inspired by his alma mater’s THON — a yearlong fundraising effort that culminates in a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.

Penn State’s THON raised a record-breaking $17.7 million in February for Four Diamonds, a charity at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital that supports families battling pediatric cancer.

Greensburg Salem’s Mini THON raised more than $63,500 for Four Diamonds this past year, capping its fundraising efforts March 15 with 12 hours of dancing, games and activities. It was one of the highest totals the school has recorded in the past decade, second only to the $71,500 raised in 2023.

‘More than a project’

About 115 students participated in the event, which ran from the evening of March 14 to the morning of March 15, Boe said.

“It’s more than a project. It embodies a lot of what Greensburg Salem is and I think a lot of what public education is at the same time,” Boe said. “It’s a group of kids who maybe don’t always get the best publicity, but nonetheless, a group of kids who … have provided a common goal for our district to rally behind.”

Event planner Taylor Dale, one of six senior students who organized the fundraising efforts this year, has participated in Mini THON since she was in seventh grade.

“Going from somebody who was just volunteering to being somebody who’s leading it, I feel like I’ve seen it grow in so many ways,” she said. “We’ve planned so many more fun events as the years have gone on, and it’s just really nice seeing everybody come back every year.”

Alumni from nearly all of the previous nine Mini THON teams were present.

Dale is still reveling in the outcome of her and her classmates’ hard work.

“I just walked into the gym and saw hundreds of people talking, enjoying everything that we put out for them,” she said. “I think that was the most eye-opening moment.”

Greensburg Salem, Hempfield collaborate

In a nine-month effort, Greensburg Salem held collaborative fundraisers with neighboring Hempfield Area High School, which will host its third annual Mini THON on March 28.

The fundraiser came to Hempfield when former student Ella Jones, daughter of Greensburg Salem High School Principal Adam Jones, wanted to organize a Mini THON as her senior project.

About 180 students participated in the 12-hour event in 2023, raising $57,000. That total jumped to more than $61,000 the following year.

Led by a seven-student team, Hempfield Area has generated more than $50,000 for Four Diamonds so far this year, said English teacher Ashley Testa.

“I am surprised that it continues to be such a big event,” Testa said. “People really get into it.”

Nearly 260 of the district’s juniors and seniors will participate in the 12-hour, no-sitting event, which will feature hair donations, a talent show, dodgeball, live music and guest speakers sharing their pediatric cancer story. Local businesses including Denunzio’s and 814 Lanes & Games are donating food for the students.

The district’s teachers also have joined in on the action — volunteering to chaperone the event and participating in a “stall day” fundraiser where class is delayed until the teacher finishes counting student donations.

“The camaraderie of this event is just as important as the goal,” she said. “Obviously, I want them to raise money for pediatric cancer, but I also love that they can come together as a class.

“It kind of unifies them as a whole.”

Hempfield will accept donations for its Mini THON efforts until 9:45 p.m. March 28. Donations can be made online via the district’s Donor Drive account.