Why We THON - Support THON 2016
Sam Kulp and AJ Bobby and his sisters at THON 2015
Four years ago, Theta Chi was blessed with a new Four Diamonds family. We weren’t quite sure who they were or what they were like, but we were excited nonetheless, we met the AJ Bobby family at THON 2011, and our lives have not been the same since.
One of the first things I remember post THON 2011 was the multitude of brothers exclaiming how the Bobby family was the perfect family for us! We connected on day one and have formed lifelong friendships with this family. Quite honestly, the Bobby family is a college family. They’re goofy, energetic, inquisitive, and a little crude at times, but most of all they’re loving. This family has given us so much of themselves, and I’d like to think that we do the same. Every year I hear countless brothers recall their favorite THON memory as the first time they were tackled by a Bobby child, and just to be clear, Mr. Bobby often falls into this category (I quickly discovered that). Better yet one can hardly go a day in this house without someone talking about our family or asking about the next time we’ll see them. The Bobby’s started out as our Four Diamonds family, but they have become so much more. I don’t know of one single brother who wouldn't drop anything at any moment in order to visit that family in a time of need. We love them more than anything in the world! Those people have touched our hearts and souls and will always be part of each of our brother’s true family. We would go to the end of the world and back to protect those amazing people and losing them would truly mean losing a piece of our souls.
You see, I believe it is the Bobby family that drives most of our brothers. The love that radiates from that family changes the environment around our house. It brings smiles and people go out of their way to do things for each other. I've seen brothers who have nothing in common bond over a game of concentration with Annabelle and Alexis. Better yet I've witnessed a grown man take on a group of college students as his son wildly tickles everything in sight. It’s our love for the Bobby’s that drives us to can on those cold, snowy street corners. It’s their love that drives us to improve ourselves each year. Their love is why we THON.
Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your generous support for Theta Chi and the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately referred to as THON. With your help we will continue to do our best to help the families of those affected by the evils of pediatric cancer. Furthermore, your support motivates the Penn State student body to continue our fight against pediatric cancer! In case you were not aware, THON is the largest student run philanthropy in the world. Year round, students raise money and it culminates in February with a 46 hour no-sleeping, no-siting dance marathon with approximately 700 eager dancers. THON was started in 1973 by a small group of dedicated students; since then we have raised over 114 million dollars. The money raised is used to support the Four Diamonds Fund. The Four Diamonds Fund looks to assist the children treated at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support, and innovative research. Four Diamonds offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as expenses that may disrupt the welfare of the child, such as car repairs, rent, or household utilities. Four Diamonds supports the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Institute.