Greensburg Salem Mini-THON dance, auction to benefit pediatric cancer battle

Greensburg Salem community members are invited to visit the high school gym Saturday, March 25, to help the school’s students kick off their Mini-THON dance marathon.

It’s part of an annual student-led campaign that supports the battle against pediatric cancer.

Those who attend the all-ages community portion of the event, from 7 to 10 p.m., are invited to try out the unique dance the students have choreo­graphed for the marathon.

“We’ll learn a line dance,” said senior Regan Lennert, who is in charge of communications and social media for the Mini-THON committee. “We’re making it up to different songs that are currently popular. We’ll do it every hour.”

It’s a shorter version of the steps high school students will perform as they stay on for the marathon, slated to continue until 7 a.m. Sunday, March 26.

A local DJ will provide the music.

Attendees will hear the experiences of a local survivor of pediatric cancer. Barbers will be on hand to trim the locks of high school students who want to donate their hair to fashion wigs for cancer patients.

Community members also can take part in a silent auction featuring family-­friendly gift baskets of donated items. Fifteen baskets have been donated so far, Lennert said.

“We’ll have different yard games and a bouncy house for younger kids,” she said, “and there will be a concession stand.”

Karndean Designflooring of Export is a sponsor of the community portion of the Mini-THON.

Modeled after Penn State’s THON event, which concludes with a 46-hour dance marathon, Greensburg Salem’s Mini-THON generated more than $205,000 during its first six years, beginning in 2016.

Last year’s effort raised nearly $50,000 for the cause. This year’s goal is to raise $60,000, Lennert said.

Visit gsminithon.com for more information.