I know it’s been a little while since I’ve blogged for LAUS@PSU, but THON is rapidly approaching and I have been super busy. In less than two weeks, THON 2011 will be here and the thought is overwhelmingly exciting. It honestly feels like just yesterday that I was a new Committee Member going to my first shift for THON 2010. How fast time flies!

Since my last post, a lot has happened. First of all, my Committee went on the third canning weekend, this time, to my “home sweet home” in good old Landenberg, PA. It’s lovely this time of year, bitter cold and smells like mushrooms. What more could a group of college students ask for?

Let me say one thing, my Committee members are troopers! During this canning weekend, there were weather advisories warning people not to go outdoors because of the frigid temperatures. But that did not stop us. We were up bright and early on Saturday morning, greeted by a delicious breakfast spread that my wonderful mother put together. Once we cleared the sleepy fog from our eyes, we bundled ourselves up in tons of layers, piled into the cars, and set out for a day of canning FOR THE KIDS. That is really what kept us going that day – just knowing that we were helping to make a difference in the lives of many children and families.  Twenty minutes into canning, the tops of my fingers went numb – great. But we started doing last year’s line dance to stay warm and the donations started flowing! After a long day of a canning, we returned to the warmth of my house to defrost our bodies and count the money. We did a great job and I was proud of my Committee members for being so dedicated.

A few weeks after the canning weekend, my Co-Captain Louise and I hosted a pre-THON meeting for any interested faculty members. It was a small group but it was extremely productive and beneficial. We got to hear their ideas about increasing THON involvement and got some great starting points for For The Future (FTF). Right now, one of the events that we are planning for the faculty and staff THON weekend is a behind the scenes tour of the BJC. We will also teach the participants the line dance which they will eventually get to perform on stage…lucky them! These will be fun events and a great way for faculty and staff to see THON from a different perspective.

This weekend is the final canning weekend. My committee is not going canning this time.  Instead, I plan on going home for the weekend to rest up before the big weekend next week (February 18-20, 2011). THON is approaching very quickly, so get excited and make sure to come check it out. I promise, you won’t regret it! Look for a post next week about the week leading up to THON…it’s going to be a whirlwind but I can’t wait!

FTK,
Marlee