Over $60,000 raised for pediatric cancer by GSHS Mini-THON

Greensburg Salem High School Mini-THON blew past their goal of $55,000 and raised over $60,000 for pediatric cancer this year which was announced early Sunday morning after a 12 hour dance party.

GSHS Mini-THON has raised over $185,000 for pediatric cancer in the last 5 years, and this year alone, raised $60,034.55 through various fundraisers, events, sponsorships and donations. The 2020 committee, comprised of 5 students, planned and implemented Mini-THON as a part of their senior projects. Leaders, Erika Christeleit, Jalen Page, Ryan, Thomas, Cavan Trout and Alexis Zahorchak all had delineated duties based upon their potential future career.

GSHS Mini-THON holds different events throughout the year to raise money including a Pancake Breakfast, a Back to School Tailgate, canning in town, coin collection at school and last night’s Community Hours. New events that this year’s committee held were yoga nights and a ‘paint and sip’ fundraiser.

The “Miracles in Minutes” initiative, where students solicited funds from spectators during halftime at Greensburg Salem football games, was one of the biggest successes in collecting for the year.

Mini-THON 2020 Committee at Penn State’s annual THON in February.

The past couple of summers summer they’ve handled all of the lemonade and pop stands at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival and receive a donation from the Festival. More than 50 kids volunteered to man those stands during the 4 days.

“I am truly proud of what our Leadership Team accomplished. Under the leadership of Mr. Matt Boe, and with the generous support of the Greensburg Salem Community, these kids were able to crush their goal of $55,000,” said Jeremy Lenzi, Greensburg Salem High School teacher and Mini THON advisor. “All proceeds will benefit the Four Diamonds Foundation in their battle against Pediatric Cancer.”

A Mini-Thon Spirit Week leads up to Saturday evening’s big Community Hours fundraiser with each day having a different theme. From wearing gold, to a crazy sock day, twin day and pj day on Friday to prepare for the big dance-a-thon. The students have a big push for donations during the week as well with coin collections and encouraging others to raise $250 to be a part of the VIP room, where students are entered in an Apple AirPod raffle, Pittsburgh Penguins ticket raffle, receive massages by Hands on Moxie and sitting privileges during the dancing.

Last night’s Community Hours fundraiser, where members of the Community were able to enjoy dancing, games, face painting and caricatures and a wide variety of games was the culmination of the committee and volunteer’s hard work. Throughout the night 150 student dancers stayed on their feet for more than 12 hours while other activities kept everyone energized. Fun competitions like Human Bowling and Human Hungry Hungry Hippos between students kept them moving and motivated all night long. Plus, 10 young ladies donated more than 8 inches of their hair to help those who lose it during the Chemo process during the event. Doug Prentice, a Senior at GS, spoke of his own battle with a brain tumor which was diagnosed last March 11th. Doug is now in remission after undergoing both chemo and radiation treatments.

9 of the 10 young ladies who donated 8 inches of hair during Community Hours.

“It’s an amazing feeling knowing we were able to beat our goal,” said Jalen Page. “but knowing the cause it is going to is what is most important and what makes it all worth it.”

This year, the Mini-THON team travelled to Penn State for their Mini-THON appreciation breakfast and THON! THON raised nearly $11.7 million this year at their annual 24-hour event! Schools in eight states hold Mini-THONs to support Four Diamonds, inspired by the annual charity dance THON at Penn State.

GSHS Mini-THON is partnered with Four Diamonds in the fight against Pediatric Cancer. Dollars raised by Greensburg Salem High School Mini-THON® 2020 ensure that every Four Diamonds child, regardless of income, receives the highest quality of cancer care without ever seeing a bill for that care. 100% of the money earned goes to kids with cancer, their families and research to help find a cure.