Family Mailers
Below you will find information that is placed in each Family Mailer. Please click on the link to read each item. More information will be added as each mailer is sent out!
September Notices
A Message from your Overall, Elaine Tanella
Dear Four Diamonds Families,
Hello! My name is Elaine Tanella and I am the THON 2012 Overall Chairperson. I am excited to unite with all of the dedicated Penn State students and families to assist The Four Diamonds Fund in accomplishing their mission: conquering childhood cancer. As the families, you bring hope and inspiration to all THON volunteers, organization members, and beyond. Thank you for showing us the true meaning of courage, honesty, wisdom, and strength. Your support guides us each and everyday.
The Overall Committee and THON volunteers have already been preparing to create a marvelous experience for all of you. Their enthusiastic spirit truly represents an ever-lasting devotion the kids, and to finding a cure for pediatric cancer. We believe that one day we will be dancing in celebration, for a cure has been found.
We look forward to seeing you this year! If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to us. We are here for you. Thank you for allowing the THON community to be a part of your family.
For The Kids, Elaine Tanella overall@thon.org
A Message from Suzanne Graney
Dear Four Diamonds Family,
THON™ 2012 is only a few months away, so it’s time to mark your calendars and plan to attend this amazing weekend! THON 2012 begins on Friday, February 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University, and ends on Sunday, February 19th at 4:00 p.m. I recommend you check into your hotel and also with THON on Friday by 5:00 p.m. to be sure you do not miss the start of THON 2012. It may seem early to plan now for a weekend in February, but I hope you’ll register early for THON and attend as many of the pre-THON activities as possible. The students work for months planning the various events, which are designed specifically for the kids! It is guaranteed fun for the entire family and the students are looking forward to enjoying the festivities with you.
In 2012, both THON and The Four Diamonds Fund will be celebrating their 40th anniversaries. To commemorate this milestone both organizations have many surprises and activities planned for the families and kids. Together, THON and Four Diamonds have made tremendous contributions in the fight to conquer childhood cancer. We hope you will join us in celebrating the triumphs, successes and memories of all who have participated in the fight against pediatric cancer.
This is the first of four THON mailings and email communications you will receive prior to THON weekend. Enclosed are your THON 2012 Registration form, a checklist highlighting the various enclosures, and a THON newsletter detailing upcoming family activities. Pre-THON activities include Harvest Day and Family Reunion Carnival, which are two of the most popular events, as well as the THON 5K and the Fifth Annual Kids’ Run. You won’t want to miss any of them! If you have Internet access we encourage you to register online as a faster, more convenient option.
Please pay close attention to the information on the Adopt-A-Family program. This program can be a very rewarding experience for your family – I hope you will sign up for it. If your THON registration is received by October 4, 2011, Kaylee Tully, THON 2012 Overall Family Relations Chairperson, and her committee will match your family with a THON organization before the Family Carnival in November. This earlier match will give you and the students in the organization you’re matched with an opportunity to meet each other and enjoy the THON events together.
The THON Web site, www.thon.org, is an excellent source for updates on THON information and news. I encourage you to visit the Web site often throughout the year, in particular, the Four Diamonds Family page, where you will find updates and the Four Diamonds Feature Family Profiles. To receive timely communications and the most up to date information on THON events please register to receive your materials online by contacting family.relations@thon.org.
As you review the enclosed material, please don’t forget to complete and return the Media Release Form, which we update annually. If you have any questions please call the Four Diamonds office at (717) 531-6086 or contact Kaylee Tully at (609) 610-7367 or by email at family.relations@thon.org. I look forward to sharing the THON 2012 season with you.
Best Regards,
Suzanne Graney
Director, The Four Diamonds Fund
THON 2012 Registration Checklist
February may be months away, but it is important for the THON students to know how many families to expect THON weekend. We recommend that you register for THON now. If you find that you are unable to attend THON in February, you can always cancel your reservation at that time. Please contact the THON office at 814-865-0510 or the Four Diamonds office at 717-531-6086 if you have any questions.
Checklist:
- THON 2012 Dance Marathon Registration Form, due by October 4rd, 2011
- Four Diamonds Family Media Consent Form (Required)
- THON Media Consent Form (Required)
- THON 2012 Family Pass List (Required)
- Programs – these are optional, but encouraged!
- Adopt-a-Family Program, due October 4th, 2011 in Registration Form
- Penn Pal Program, due October 4th, 2011
- THON Family Feature Program, due October 20th, 2011
- Pre-THON Events
- THON Harvest Day, October 2nd, 2011, Harner Farm, State College, PA
- Reminder: RSVP by September 23rd, 2011.
- 11th Annual THON 5K and Kids’ Race, October 23th, 2011, Corners of University Dr. and Curtin Rd., University Park
- Reminder: RSVP by October 14th, 2011 and if you would like to receive a free t-shirt for your Four Diamonds Child, you must register by September 18th.
- 16th Annual THON Family Carnival, November 13th, 2011, White Building, University Park
- Reminder: RSVP by November 4th, 2011.
- THON Harvest Day, October 2nd, 2011, Harner Farm, State College, PA
You can also go here to the Calendar of Events Page with all due dates and event dates throughout the entire year.
Looking Ahead at the Next Mailer
There are a total of four THON mailings: September, November, December, and the beginning of February. The next THON family mailing will be in November and will include the many exciting THON Weekend events that will be offered to the Four Diamonds families. Information regarding these events will be explained here.
Also, please read all of your mailings thoroughly so as not to miss any response dates for our wonderful activities and events – RSVP DATES ARE IMPORTANT! In order to ensure that your family can get the most out of your THON experience, deadlines are necessary and important to our committees in the planning process. Please be sure to note all RSVP deadlines mentioned in all of the THON mailings. Registrations for events that are limited to a certain number of participants will close once full. The Family Relations committee wants to give each Four Diamonds family the best THON experience possible; however, we cannot guarantee that families responding late for an activity/event will be able to participate in that event. Thank you for understanding and we look forward to a fantastic THON season…For The Kids, Always and Forever!
November Notices
December Notices
BJC & THON Frequently Asked Questions
When are THON’s hours? THON 2012 will begin at 6:00 PM on Friday, February 17, and end at 4:00 PM on Sunday, February 19, a full 46 hours of fun! THON’s ending time should provide you with enough time for your family to travel back home. Families may begin checking in on Friday at 3:00 PM. We suggest that you arrive to the Bryce Jordan Center no later than 5:00 PM so you don’t miss out on the exciting THON 2010 Kick-off!
Where can I park? You are the special visitors at THON, and therefore are given VIP parking! Four Diamonds Family Parking is conveniently located outside of the Family Lounge, outside of the Mezzanine entrance to the Bryce Jordan Center.
You are the special visitors at THON, and therefore are given VIP parking! Four Diamonds Family Parking is conveniently located outside of the Family Lounge, outside of the Mezzanine entrance to the Bryce Jordan Center.
Will there be food? In addition to the Four Diamonds family meals (Dinner on Friday; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on Saturday; and Brunch on Sunday), light snacks and beverages will be provided in the Family Lounge throughout THON weekend! Don’t hesitate to bring your children’s favorite snacks from home, as food variety is somewhat limited.
Do’s and Don’ts For THON Weekend
DO Bring:
- Mail for the dancers (see Mail Call flyer in this mailer for more information).
- Toys, games, coloring books, crossword puzzles, etc. for the dancers.
- Inspiration for the dancers. Good examples include pictures, pins, and key chains!
- Bags, coats, diaper bags- anything you will need over the weekend can be stored in the Family Lounge or South Annex.
- Small water guns
- Smiles, hugs, and love for the dancers! YOU are their favorite part about THON!
DON'T Bring:
- Paint of any kind!
- Live animals
- Silly string
- Glitter
- Cap Guns
- Sand
- Helium Balloons
- Air horns
- Super soakers/water guns with tanks
- If you can't bring it on a place, DON'T bring it to THON (except water and snacks!)
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Overall Family Relations Chairperson Kaylee Tully at family.relations@thon.org.
Create and Send Dancer And Kids’ Mail
To Send Mail To: DANCERS
Attn: Mail Call
Dancer Number
Dancer Name
210 HUB
University Park, PA 16802
One of the best ways for family and friends to support the THON 2012 dancers is to send “Dancer Mail” which will be distributed THON weekend! The distribution takes place in the late hours of the night and serves as inspiration and encouragement for the dancers as they stand on their feet for 46 hours straight! You can send motivational letters and packages to the Dancers! If you are interested in sending mail, we will start accepting it on January 17th. We will accept all delivered mail that has been postmarked by February 9th as this is the final day mail will be due.
Attn: Mail Call
Dancer Number
Dancer Name
210 HUB
University Park, PA 16802
To learn more about what to send, click here!
THON Weekend Hotel Information
All families on active treatment will receive 1 complementary hotel room for THON 2012 at one of the State College hotels. You should have been contacted by the Hospitality/Welcoming Coordinator Captain at this time if you are receiving a room and will be contacted soon in regards to your hotel stay.
For families not on active treatment, please be sure to reserve your hotel accommodations! Remember, hotels fill up fast, so act quickly!! Also please be sure to fill out this form so we know where you are staying.
How your family can help our during THON Weekend
SERVE A DANCER MEAL
Over the past few years, we have developed the tradition of Four Diamonds Families serving the final meal to THON’s dancers. This interaction is something that dancers really look forward to, and we’re pleased to offer this opportunity again for THON 2012! More information will be given to you at THON, but we wanted to make all families aware of this opportunity now! If interested, please e-mail, Overall Family Relations Chairperson, Kaylee Tully at family.relations@thon.org to participate on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at approximately 11 AM.
ADOPT AN INDEPENDENT DANCER COUPLE
Independent dancers raise money for THON outside of an organization, and are chosen to dance based on a lottery system. Independent dancers are chosen in pairs, and don’t have nearly the support that a dancer does who is backed by an entire organization. The biggest support to them would be you. If you choose to participate, you will adopt them for the weekend, like organizations adopt your family throughout the year. All we ask is that you spend time with them and bring them goodies that you would bring you dancers! Not only will you be carrying them through the weekend, but you will develop an excellent bond with them, enhancing your weekend as well! If interested, please contact Kaylee Tully at family.relations@thon.org!
Reminders and Looking Ahead!
Reminders...
- Please fill out this form regarding your hotel information unless you are on active treatment and are receiving a complimentary room.
- If you signed up for the Adopt a Family program and have yet to be contacted, please contact Kaylee Tully at family.relations@thon.org.
- If you have not already done so, please fill out your THON Weekend Events registration! Family Relations plans many exciting events for you THON Weekend, and we want to make sure that no one misses out! You can sign-up here for the events. Please note, The Four Diamonds Fashion Show is now full for participants.
- Don’t forget to RSVP to THON Hoops! Your family should be receiving an invite in the mail from the Penn State Men’s Basketball team. The team will be playing the Minnesota Gophers on Sunday, January 15th. The event will begin at 2pm for the Four Diamonds families with games, activities, and lunch!
- Family Relations is here for you!! If you have any questions about anything found in this mailer or about THON in general, please contact Kaylee Tully at family.relations@thon.org.
Looking Ahead...
- THON Weekend!
- Your February THON mailing will include all the information you will need for THON 2012!
- Schedule of events
- Check-in information
- Parking and Transportation Guide
- What do bring
- Any other essential information you will need for THON 2012!
- Your February THON mailing will include all the information you will need for THON 2012!
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