Central Mountain Middle School’s Mini-THON Tops $28,000!!
MILL HALL – The roar was huge as students from the Central Mountain Middle School as students revealed the amount raised Friday night in the third annual Mini-THON fundraiser in the fight against childhood cancer.
Assistant principal Mike Baughman instructed thon committee members to raise their placards, one at a time, from right to left. When the final number went up, the roar went out: $28,359.81. The goal had been $20,000.
The amazing showing topped off a school-year-long effort and means the middle school and its 818 students have raised over $50,000 over the last three years. Baughman encouraged the young people in attendance to remember why the assemblage was present, all about “helping others.” He told them to “make sure it doesn’t stop tonight,” noting the assistance the effort provides those children in the area affected by cancer.
The Mini-THON fundraiser is modeled after the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) and benefits Four Diamonds – an organization whose mission is to defeat childhood cancer. The organization has assisted 100 percent of childhood cancer patients who have been treated at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
Culminating events began at 2 p.m. Friday in the school’s Harold Adams gym and for six straight hours students danced and participated in non-stop activities. They included a visit from four Penn State student-athletes involved in the Penn State Dance Marathon.
The afternoon kick-off was staged in the gym with the entire student body present. Middle School office secretary Hollie Moore led each of the school’s three classes in line dancing. Dance participants included Keystone Central School District’s acting superintendent Dr. Al Lonoconus.
Top fund-raising students were recognized, including the top fund-raiser, Jackson Proctor, a seventh grader who accumulated $1,175 towards the Mini-Thon goal.
The fundraising effort began last fall. The original goal was $10,000 but Mini-THON Committee Advisor Jaime Kessinger recently said the response has been sufficient that the goal had been kicked up to the $20,000 figure. That goal was bludgeoned when the final tally came in: $28,359.81.
