Atlas Benefiting THON
Encyclopedia
Atlas is a Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) special interest organization
. The Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) is the world's largest student-run philanthropy
which raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Atlas was the top monetary contributor to THON 2011, raising $381,884.97. This was the first year that a non-Greek organization
was the top fundraising organization within THON. Atlas currently has two THON families: The Smiths, with Four Diamonds
child Victoria Smith, and the Brobsons, with Four Diamonds Child Claire Brobson.
Atlas is most recognizable for their fuzzy pink hats that they wear; these are the result of the need to be recognized on the THON online feed when their first THON child Victoria, was still in the hospital. Pink stood out, and Victoria liked the way that they felt, so they quickly became the defining symbol of the organization.
Atlas was recognized in 2011 by the Massachusetts General Hospital
Cancer Center as one of the top 100 organizations nationally that are fighting cancer; they were one of the only student organizations given this honor.
dorm Atherton Hall. This small group of students was paired with a Four Diamonds family, the Victoria Smith Family, in their first year as an organization. They raised $26,007.85 and were represented by two dancers, co-founders Chris Lucas and Boris Minkovich. The second year of Atlas's existence was marked by a significant growth in membership. This growth resulted in the organization raising $86,595.68, which was enough to lead all independent organizations that year. Atlas adopted a second Four Diamonds family, the Claire Brobson Family, along with her siblings Will and Gabe, for THON 2009. This was also a record-breaking year for Atlas, as they raised over $200,000, becoming the first independent organization within THON to do so. Atlas shattered all records again in THON 2011, raising over $380,000 and becoming the first non-Greek organization to be the top fundraiser in THON, as well as setting a record for the most money raised by a single organization in a single year. Atlas also raised its one millionth dollar as an organization in 2011.
for the weekend and go to various members' houses around the Pennsylvania
, New Jersey
, and New York
areas. Students stand on street corners with large coffees cans and solicit donations from passing cars. This is the most profitable fundraising activity completed by Atlas, and is the most significant portion of being a member of Atlas. Canning weekends are known to form tight bonds between those who go on a trip together.
Atlas also participates in Relay for Life, as well as sponsoring Alex's Lemonade stands, in an effort to continue their dedication to fighting pediatric cancer year-round.
Special Interest Group
A Special Interest Group is a community with an interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge, learning or technology where members cooperate to effect or to produce solutions within their particular field, and may communicate, meet, and organize conferences...
. The Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) is the world's largest student-run philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
which raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Atlas was the top monetary contributor to THON 2011, raising $381,884.97. This was the first year that a non-Greek organization
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
was the top fundraising organization within THON. Atlas currently has two THON families: The Smiths, with Four Diamonds
Four Diamonds Fund
The Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer"....
child Victoria Smith, and the Brobsons, with Four Diamonds Child Claire Brobson.
Atlas is most recognizable for their fuzzy pink hats that they wear; these are the result of the need to be recognized on the THON online feed when their first THON child Victoria, was still in the hospital. Pink stood out, and Victoria liked the way that they felt, so they quickly became the defining symbol of the organization.
Atlas was recognized in 2011 by the Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
Cancer Center as one of the top 100 organizations nationally that are fighting cancer; they were one of the only student organizations given this honor.
History
Atlas was created in Fall 2005 by several students in the Penn State Schreyer Honors CollegeSchreyer Honors College
The Schreyer Honors College is the honors program of the Pennsylvania State University. Founded in 1980 as the University Scholars Program, it was expanded and renamed in 1997 in response to a $30 million gift by William and Joan Schreyer...
dorm Atherton Hall. This small group of students was paired with a Four Diamonds family, the Victoria Smith Family, in their first year as an organization. They raised $26,007.85 and were represented by two dancers, co-founders Chris Lucas and Boris Minkovich. The second year of Atlas's existence was marked by a significant growth in membership. This growth resulted in the organization raising $86,595.68, which was enough to lead all independent organizations that year. Atlas adopted a second Four Diamonds family, the Claire Brobson Family, along with her siblings Will and Gabe, for THON 2009. This was also a record-breaking year for Atlas, as they raised over $200,000, becoming the first independent organization within THON to do so. Atlas shattered all records again in THON 2011, raising over $380,000 and becoming the first non-Greek organization to be the top fundraiser in THON, as well as setting a record for the most money raised by a single organization in a single year. Atlas also raised its one millionth dollar as an organization in 2011.
| Atlas' Fundraising Totals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | |
| 2006 | $26,007.85 First year in THON |
|
| 2007 | $86,595.68 Top Independent Fundraising Organization within THON |
|
| 2008 | $160,473.97 First independent organization over $100,000 |
|
| 2009 | $216,785.15 First independent organization over $200,000 |
|
| 2010 | $266,128.33 | |
| 2011 | $381,884.97 First independent organization to be top fundraiser |
|
Organization Info
Atlas has 10 executive board members, as well as over 150 general members. Membership is difficult to determine, however, as there are no "dues" to be an official member. Rather, each member participates by doing whatever he chooses to do while in the organization. Other than the dance marathon itself, typical activities throughout the year include the THON 5K, visits with their THON families, and four "canning" weekends throughout the year. Canning weekends are designated weekends by THON in which students leave State CollegeState College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
for the weekend and go to various members' houses around the Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
areas. Students stand on street corners with large coffees cans and solicit donations from passing cars. This is the most profitable fundraising activity completed by Atlas, and is the most significant portion of being a member of Atlas. Canning weekends are known to form tight bonds between those who go on a trip together.
Atlas also participates in Relay for Life, as well as sponsoring Alex's Lemonade stands, in an effort to continue their dedication to fighting pediatric cancer year-round.
Dancers
Each year, Atlas selects dancer to represent the organization in THON for the 46 hour, no sitting and no sleeping dance marathon. It is an honor to be selected as an Atlas dancer; there are currently over 200 members in the organization, yet only 10 get to dance each year, with many more deserving this opportunity. The following is a list of dancers selected annually to represent Atlas in the fight against pediatric cancer:| Year | Dancers |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Chris Lucas and Boris Minkovich |
| 2007 | Naveen Arora, Matt Sterling, Sam Merritt, Jen Koffs, Lizzy Fustos, and Alison Gerber |
| 2008 | Matt McCowan, Rebby Willen, Ryan Ahn, Michelle Thiry, Lindsay Gerhart, Heather Melnick, Brian Buterbaugh, and Bobby Staloff |
| 2009 | Emily Cassidy, Alli Shultz, Greg Frisby, Zach Shue, Elaine Tanella, Kirsten Quisenberry, Lauren Julius, Laurel Upton, Jamie Nevel, and Jason Litman |
| 2010 | Ben Denkin, Kim Hawk, Nate Heinzelman, Laura McCann, Zach Miller, Slater Nair, Meg O’Rourke, Greg Tallman, Brandon Tricou, Nina Wertan |
| 2011 | Alex Bruce, Eden Eliff, Dave Haneman, Ashlie Huss, Matt Kapelewski, Dan Levy, Vicki Marone, Kim Morgan, Mike Russo, and Steve Topper |
See also
- Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon
- Four Diamonds FundFour Diamonds FundThe Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer"....
- Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
- CancerCancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...