Greensburg Salem Mini-THON raises more than $50K

Greensburg Salem High School shattered its Mini-THON record by raising $50,737 for children with cancer during its 12-hour overnight dance marathon Saturday and Sunday.

“The feeling, honestly, is just indescribable right now,” said Natalia Zucco, a Greensburg-Salem senior and chair of the group that organized the event.

The money goes to Four Diamonds, which covers medical expenses for children with cancer and funds cancer research through Penn State Children’s Hospital.

Schools in eight states hold Mini-THONs to support Four Diamonds, inspired by the annual charity dance THON at Penn State.

Last year, Greensburg Salem’s mini-THON set a school record of $35,000. This year students were able to fly past that target.

Zucco said organizers encouraged students to use DonorDrive, an online fundraising site established by Four Diamonds, which helped boost donations to new heights.

Local businesses and organizations sponsored the event, sending the total even higher, said senior Allie Zahorchak.

At previous Greensburg-Salem Mini-THONs, students would start to get tired and slow down in the wee hours of the morning. That wasn’t the case this year, said senior Dajauhn Hertzog.

“They all loved being there,” Hertzog said. “I don’t recall one person who was complaining. They really cared that we’re doing something.”