CMMS 3rd Annual Mini-Thon is April 13; Goal is to raise $20,000

By LaKeshia Knarr
MILL HALL – Students and faculty at Central Mountain Middle School have been busy for months, preparing for the school’s third annual mini-THON fundraiser slated for Friday, April 13.

Mini-THON fundraisers, modeled after the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), benefit Four Diamonds – an organization whose mission is to defeat childhood cancer. In fact, the organization notes it has assisted 100 percent of childhood cancer patients who have been treated at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

For six straight hours during the event, students will be dancing and participating in non-stop activities while capping off this year’s fundraiser. This year, the public will be welcome from 7 to 8 p.m., when the unveiling of the total amount raised will take place.

Their goal was to raise $10,000.

However, the school has already reached $5,187 in online contributions and has raised about $9,000 within the district – placing the students well past their original goal.

“We’re now pushing to raise $20,000,” said Mini-THON Committee Advisor Jaime Kessinger, who explained there are six student sub-committees that help plan activities during club periods and administer fundraisers. The teams have also planned special organization days outside of regular school days to prepare.

Emma Page, Aaralin Johnson and Ethan Simmons – eighth graders and Mini-THON Committee members – told therecord-online.com about the group’s efforts so far.

“We’re super excited,” said Aaralin, who serves on the Operations & Entertainment Sub-Committee. “We started planning in October… I think it’s been going pretty well. We’ve gotten some of our decorations done and we’re doing really well with our fundraising this year.”

Ethan explained that the Fundraising Sub-Committee sent donation requests to businesses throughout the local communities and that several events have been held in the school to raise funds.
“We did a ‘No-Shave November’ with teachers, a penny drive and sell shirts and swag,” Ethan said.
“I’m on the Public Relations Sub-Committee and we basically spread the word. We make posters and put them around the school and tell our families what is going on,” explained Emma. “I just like being a part of the community and knowing I can help, especially kids.”

The students, each acknowledging they have had loved ones battle cancer, know their efforts will make a difference in people’s lives.

“We’re doing it to help kids out who have cancer and to let them know we’re here,” said Ethan.
Aaralin added, “We don’t even know them, but it makes us feel good.”
Aaralin noted that a small group of students and teachers from the school were able to take a trip to the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital to see firsthand how the fundraisers impact hospital operations. They also recently participated in the Penn State THON breakfast and attended the actual THON event, she said.
Now, they’re even more excited for their own event.
The Mini-THON Committee is also planning to hold a hair-cutting event during the event for hair donations and the end of the event will be marked by the release of sky lanterns, commemorating loved ones lost to cancer.

To donate, visit https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.event&eventID=1913.

Tax-deductible donations may be made by contacting Angela Harding, KCSD communication and community outreach, at aharding@kcsd.us or 570-893-4900, ext. 2314. To write a check donation, make it out to “Four Diamonds.”

Those wishing to donate food, snacks and beverages for the event may also consider doing so. Contact Jessica Whipple at jwhipple@kcsd.k12.pa.us, or Jaime Kessinger at jkessing@kcsd.k12.pa.us; or call the middle school at 570-726-3141 to reach one of the advisors directly.

Kessinger said about 30 businesses have contributed so far, including: Central PA Auto Auction, Walmart, Arby’s, JJ Peter’s Disposal, TA Truck Stop, Little Caesars, Bald Eagle Distributor, Jeffrey J Raymond JR DMD, Pizza City, Mill Hall Pharmacy, Chatham Run Feed Mill, PA Masonry, Schuchert Orthodontics, Flowers By Monica, Hawksworth Trucking, Croda, Timothy Bitner Taxidermy, The Old Corner, Woodland’s Bank, Central Storage, Susquehanna Eye Associates, Susquehanna Transit Company, Miller Furniture of Mill Hall, Donald G Walker Funeral Home, Rugged Homestead Pools, Beiter’s, JCH Construction, and Bus Stops Here.