1. Four Diamonds Mini-THON
Southern Middle School’s stand
for childhood cancer

2. Mini-THON 2010

3. SMS Mini-THON 2010 Last year … 120+ SMS students participated
Students sang karaoke, competed in team games, heard a band, met a Four Diamonds child & DANCED!
The students raised over $11,000 for kids with cancer!

4. The Story of the Four Diamonds
Entering 8th grade in 1972, Christopher Millard was asked to write an essay recounting the experiences of his summer. 
However, Christopher’s memories of the past summer consisted only of pain and sickness from battling cancer.

5. The Story of the Four Diamonds
Instead, Christopher wrote a tale of Medieval Times entitled “The Four Diamonds”. 
The story follows the heroic young knight Sir Millard on a quest to capture Four Diamonds of Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, & Strength that will defeat an evil sorceress. 

6. The Story of the Four Diamonds
Unfortunately, unlike the valiant Sir Millard, Christopher was unable to defeat the evils of cancer.

7. The History of the Four Diamonds
In tribute to their fourteen year old son, Charles and Irma Millard founded The Four Diamonds Fund.
Their dream was to develop a fund to provide financial assistance for children battling cancer at the Hershey Medical Center.

8. The History of the Four Diamonds
Today, thanks to the dream of the Millards, the Four Diamonds Fund provides:
Direct Financial Support-for treatment & added family support
Nursing-working exclusively with the children
Child Life-education and therapy for the children
Research-new initiatives to find a cure
Social Workers-support exclusively for the Four Diamonds Families

9. So where does the Four Diamonds Fund get the money to do it all?

10. Penn State Dance MaraTHON
This is the largest charity event in the world run completely by students.
Organized & run by over 15,000 student volunteers with 700 dancers, it is the largest organization at Penn State.
The dance marathon gives the Four Diamonds Fund 90% of its income.

11. Penn State Dance MaraTHON
Dancers stay on their feet for 46 hours – that’s almost 2 days – to raise money for the Four Diamonds kids.
The event takes place at the end of February each year and is held in the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State.
Since the 1970s, THON has become a national buzz: Penn State students are making a difference in the lives of kids with cancer.

12. Penn State Dance MaraTHON
In 2010, Penn State THON raised $7,838,054!
And it’s contagious …

13. Four Diamond Mini-THONs
For years, high schools and middle schools have been holding mini dance maraTHONs of their own.
local Mini-THONs
Spring Grove Middle School
Dover Area High School
Eastern York High School
Red Lion High School
Hanover High School
Kennard-Dale High School
South Western High School
Littlestown High School
Hempfield High School

14. We are proud to present our Mini-THON 2011 line dance!

15. SMS Mini-THON – Get Involved!
BECOME THE STAR OF THON - DANCE!
In order to participate, you will need to raise $25 in pledges for the Four Diamonds Fund
Once you have raised the money, a registration fee will gain you entrance to the dance
At this dance, you will be standing for 7 hours!
Once at the dance, there will be games, activities, music, prizes & lots of food and drink!

16. SMS Mini-THON – Get Involved!
But really, why should I participate?
to be a part of the largest dance you’ve ever seen
have fun & hang out with your friends
to win free prizes
to help raise money for kids with cancer

17. SMS Mini-THON – Get Involved!
HOW CAN I RAISE MONEY?
Ask relatives, neighbors, & friends to donate any money that they can
Ask your church or organizations in which you are involved
Call businesses and ask them to donate
Get a can from Miss S. and ask an adult if you can put it in their office or lunch room

18. SMS Mini-THON – Get Involved!
Next Step
(white form) Participant Registration Form/Medical Information Form AND A $10 registration fee (cash or check made out to Southern Middle School) due Tuesday, February 8
At that time, you will received your fundraising envelope & pledge form
(colored paper) Mini-THON Rules and Regulations instructs participants on what can be expected
ALL PAPERS will be distributed on the way out of the auditorium

19. Rob & Mara Zomok, a Four Diamonds Family!
Please welcome
Rob & Mara Zomok, a Four Diamonds Family!

20. SMS MiniTHON
WHO: SMS students
WHAT: SMS Mini-THON
WHERE: SMS Cafeteria
WHEN: Friday, March 4, pm
WHY: For The Kids (FTK)