Mini-THON raises more than $25,000 | News, Sports, Jobs

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Mifflin County High School students hold up numbers revealing how much money was raised at this year’s Mini-THON Saturday.

LEWISTOWN — The clock was ticking, and Sara Sutton was getting nervous. The art teacher at Mifflin County High School and one of the organizers of Mini-THON was adding up the numbers and hoping the group had met its goal.

In 10 minutes, the amount raised would be revealed to the room of attendees. She would know sooner – in seconds. When she realized the final total, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“I was totaling the numbers … I thought, ‘Wow, we did it,” Sutton said. “I’m very proud of all their efforts.” Organizers and students had hoped to raise $20,000.

Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, those at MCHS cheered when the figure of $25,071.90 was revealed. Students held signs displaying each digit, along with the letters “FTK,” an acronym meaning for the kids.

“It was awesome,” Sutton said of the day-long event. “Spending the day with the next generation of philanthropists. Seeing their smiles and enjoying time together for a great cause.”

Proceeds will be donated to the Four Diamonds Foundation to assist pediatric cancer patients and their families with expenses they might get and fund pediatric cancer research. Each year, 10,000 to 12, 000 children across the country are diagnosed with cancer.

“We had a few obstacles this year, but I am so proud of the students and our community donors,” Sutton explained. “We have a very special community with so many caring parents and school staff. The outpouring of generosity is quite astounding.”

Saturday’s Mini-THON lasted eight hours for students, with two hours of community events. There was a kids hour in the afternoon followed by a glow party at night, where the monies raised were revealed.

“We had so much fun interacting with the kids in the afternoon,” Sutton said. ‘All the games, cookie decorating, face painting. Not to mention quite a great DJ team of (teacher) Roger Herto and (sound technician) Matt Moore. They bring with them an amazing crew. They know how to keep it fun.”

Sutton admits she and Ann Quinn learned a lot about organizing their first Mini-THON.

“First Mini-THON for both of us and we are both new to the district,” she added. “We are excited to do it even bigger and better next year.”

As the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, Penn State’s THON raised $15 million this year for Four Diamonds at Penn State’s Children’s Hospital.