Local schools kicking off Mini-THON activities

Joshua Byers, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read
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Jan. 11—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Students at Bishop McCort Catholic and Westmont Hilltop high schools are organizing Mini-THON events to benefit the Four Diamonds organization that helps families who are battling childhood cancer.

Westmont Hilltop students are restarting their event this year after the COVID-19 pandemic halted the annual gathering.

John Rutledge, student council adviser, said Westmont Hilltop held a Four Diamonds fundraiser for about a decade prior to the pandemic.

With the four-year break, it's been difficult getting the program up and running again until now.

Westmont students have already started raising awareness about the upcoming Mini-THON, having held a kick-off event in November for ninth- through 12th-grade students.

"It was a good way to start off," Westmont student and event chair Chanith Jayasooriya said.

He added that the business partnerships that the planning group developed have also helped.

"It's been nice to see people come out and support the cause," Jayasooriya said.

He's also excited to continue planning the event and see it all come to fruition.

Westmont's goal is $60,000 and their overnight event will take place in March.

For Bishop McCort, this is the ninth year that those students will raise money for the nonprofit and organize a 12-hour dance marathon.

Bishop McCort students are getting together Thursday for an assembly to kick-off their fundraiser and get their peers excited.

That event will feature Tina Shearer, the school's Mini-Thon liaison, and a special guest from Penn State University.

The student-run fundraisers are similar to Penn State's THON — a year-long effort that raises funds and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer that culminates in a 24-hour dance marathon.

Last year, Bishop McCort students collected $48,000 to assist with medical costs and other necessary expenditures, so that parents can focus on their children and not on mounting bills.

This year's goal is $50,000, with the overnight event also taking place in March.

Both schools are accepting donations for the fundraisers.

To make a contribution, visit www.fourdiamonds.donordrive.com, click "Find an Event" and search for Bishop McCort and Westmont Hilltop.