LANCASTER, Pa. – On March 2, Lancaster Bible College hosted its third annual Mini-Thon, partnering with Four Diamonds to raise awareness and funds in the fight against pediatric cancer.
This year, LBC’s event had a superhero theme, reminding visitors that not all heroes wear capes. Students and kids affected by cancer had a chance to play with the Avengers, Rey from Star Wars and Supergirl. Members of the Central PA Alliance dressed as the Avengers, Rey from Star Wars and Supergirl to play and take pictures with the kids. The event also featured performances by Mariah Keener and Mecario, and featured food donated by local businesses. Tickets cost five dollars a person, with the proceeds given to Four Diamonds.
Four Diamonds began in 1972, helping nearly 4000 children since, according to its website. According to associate director Gail Frassetta, Four Diamonds provides for families in three main ways: offering financial assistance, offering specialty care providers and financing innovative research.
Three families who received aid from Four Diamonds attended LBC’s event this year: the Schopf family, Krodel family and the Cassel family, whose daughter Korissa is a student at LBC. During the event, the families shared about their experience with pediatric cancer and how Four Diamonds helped them through the process.
Dean Schopf told of the stress he felt when first hearing the news about his son’s cancer. He recalled being stricken with fear, wondering what he would do and how his family would pay for all of the operations. He had then received a call from Four Diamonds.
“You can’t imagine how much weight is lifted off your shoulders [after receiving such a call],” Schopf said.
April Krodel reminded all attendees of the value of attending Mini-Thon. Mini-Thon helps you to visualize the people you are helping when you donate, she stated.
Tyler Bachman, part of LBC’s Mini-Thon committee, agreed with April. He told of how he met a child during his first Mini-Thon, and because of that experience he took a leadership role with Mini-Thon to help other children.
Stephanie Fear also joined LBC’s Mini-Thon committee because of having previously attended. She said she attended Mini-Thon last year and felt excitement at seeing the love students had for the kids.
“I wanted to be involved more,” Fear said.
Matt Cross, freshman, said he came to Mini-Thon mostly for the LBC basketball game, which was live-streamed during the event. He said he had not known much about the rest of the event. However, Cross said he enjoyed Mini-Thon as a whole, particularly the music and watching the kids play.
Riley Nichols, sophomore, said he attended Mini-Thon to help raise money for the good cause. “I have seen a lot of people at my church back home being affected by cancer,” he said. He also enjoyed the food, music and the chance to hang out with friends.
According to Albert Sampson, a member of LBC’s Mini-Thon committe, the goal of this year’s Mini-Thon focused around raising awareness. Event coordinator Amanda Benton estimated 100 people attended the event, and she estimated it raised $1000 for Four Diamonds.
Four Diamonds receives money primarily from Penn State’s annual THON, but local schools and colleges also raise money by holding annual Mini-Thons. Over the 2016-17 school year, hundreds of Mini-Thons across eight states raised almost 6.5 million dollars, according to Four Diamonds’ website.
Sampson admitted this year’s event at LBC raised less money than last year, but this year attracted more people.
“But this year is all about the people, not the money,” Sampson said.
Regardless of the amount, Ryan Krodel said, “every meeting held… [is] a step in the right direction for curing pediatric cancer.”
You can find more information about LBC’s Mini-Thon on Facebook.
For more information about Four Diamonds:
Image Description: Kids play with beach balls and balloons during Mini-Thon. (Credit: Kayla Carbaugh)
Focus 