Springfield, benefiting THON

Springfield is a special interest organization at Penn State University, affiliated with the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON). THON is a student-run philanthropic organization involving over 15,000 students on all Penn State campuses. THON raises money in the fight against pediatric cancer, providing money through the Four Diamonds Fund to help support families as well as provide funding for research towards a cure. Since 1977, THON has raised over $114 million. The sole purpose of Springfield is to raise money for THON and to support families affected by pediatric cancer. Springfield was founded in 2001 and has since raised over $1.4 million. Currently, Springfield supports three families, the Robertsons, the Colons, and the Silbaughs.

History

Springfield was founded in 2001 by Penn State student Matt Thomas, along with his friends Pat Seymour and Bob Fay. The three lived on the same floor in the Simmons residence hall of Penn State's Schreyer Honors College, and wanted to set up an organization solely devoted to raising money for THON. As a result, Springfield became the first THON Special Interest organization in the IFC/PanHellenic Penn State Dance Marathon, paving the way for other organizations to form. Springfield raised around $6,500 for the Four Diamonds Fund in its first year, and has raised over $1 million as a group since then.

The group received its first Four Diamonds child, Amanda, in 2002 through THON’s Adopt-a-Family program. Kenzie Robertson became part of the Springfield family in 2005, and in 2006 Springfield was honored to receive another Four Diamonds family, the Colons. In 2007, the Negleys became Springfield’s third family. Springfield welcomed its newest family, the Silbaughs, in 2013.

Springfield broke the $100,000 mark in 2008, with a fundraising total that year of $128,818. In 2012, the organization raised its one millionth total dollar. In 2012, Springfield was named Second Prize Winner in the undergraduate division of Johnson & Johnson's Be Vital Challenge. Springfield welcomed its most recent family, the Silbaughs, in 2013.

Families

Kenzie Robertson

Kenzie will be attending her 14th THON this year, and has been an honorary member of Springfield since she was 16. She won her battle with thyroid cancer when she was 11 years old, and has been cancer-free for more than 10 years. Springfield visits Kenzie and her grandmother, Kathleen, throughout the year, and Kenzie comes to State College often to hang out with the group. Kenzie loves to write novels, watch anime videos, listen to music (especially Taylor Swift), and volunteer at her local hospital.

Xavier Colon

The Colon family has been a huge part of Springfield since they were connected with the group in 2006. Megan and Tito have two sons, Xander, 6, and Victor, 11. Xavier Colon, the Colons second son, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2005 at the age of one. Nicknamed Springfield’s “little X-man,” Xavier fought bravely as a young baby. He attended THON in 2006, before sadly losing his battle on March 18, 2006. Xavier is Springfield’s angel and one of primary reasons Springfielders THON. Springfield maintains an active presence in the Colons’ lives, and has enjoyed countless fun and crazy times with the family. Springfield regularly attends the boys’ soccer games, annually visits the haunted amusement Shocktoberfest, and dances with the family at every THON.

Renata Negley

Tim and Celeste Negley have three children—Renata, 9, Able, 7, and Jude, 3. In 2007, Renata was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of two. The Negley family was paired with Springfield later that year, and attended their first THON in 2008. Renata finished her treatment in July 2009. The Negley family decided during the fall of 2013 that they would like to move forward with their lives outside of THON, especially as Renata is almost five years cancer-free.

Calli Silbaugh

The Silbaughs are the most recent addition to the Springfield family, and were paired with the organization in 2013. Karla and Loren have two daughters—Sydney, 4, and Calli, 18 months. Doctors discovered a tumor in Calli’s brain when she was four months old. After undergoing surgery to remove the tumor, Calli was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, one of only 50 documented cases. Calli finished chemo in mid-March 2013, and has had clear MRIs since. The Silbaughs experienced their first THON in 2014.

Fundraising

Springfield fundraises in various ways. Major fundraising techniques include Canning, which involves standing on sidewalks and asking for donations three times between September and December, “Thonvelopes and THONline” which are personal outreach letters and emails sent out by our members, and alternative fundraisers. Alternative fundraisers are used to raise money in the local State College area, as well as among the student body. These include fundraisers with local restaurants and businesses, raffles, etc. Springfield also likes to get creative with fundraisers, holding an annual pizza-eating competition, organizing a Casino Night benefiting THON, and holding an auction for the chance to pie members of Springfield's executive board in the face. Another stream of donations comes from corporate donations, provided by businesses of any size. This can be in the form of a monetary donation or allowing a donation box to be placed at the place of business (i.e. local stores and shops throughout the country). Raising $6,500 in its first year of existence, Springfield has since grown quite a bit.