EMS THON hasn’t always been a record-setting organization. No, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences THON Committee, which started out as a small organization in 2003, is one that quickly grew past its roots. Gaining members and momentum each year, they rose to the top of the fundraising charts, raising more than any other “general organization” last year.

EMS THON started out as part of the college’s student council, but because of the growth in the organization, the two split–but they are still very much interconnected.

The humble roots of EMS wouldn’t foretell the group’s future fundraising successes–they brought in only a small amount of money in 2003. But in the nine years that they have been active, EMS has managed to climb its way to the top, raising roughly $86,000–in the process setting a record in their category.

Beyond the typical fundraising activities such as canning, THONvelopes, and the like, the group also has some creative and interesting ways to raise money. They hold pizza sales in the Deike and Walker buildings, and have “fun”draisers where during meetings, members pay a dollar to play a fun game. EMS also raises money for THON through penny wars and date auctions.

ONE. College. Love. Fight. That is the slogan on the group member’s shirts. They can be spotted wearing those, or light blue shirts that read “We THON for the Woods, For the Brewers, For the Kids.” EMS’s size is reflected by the fact that they have six dancers on the floor for THON 2012, as well as two THON families, both of whom are joining them this year.

When asked about expectations for this year, THON chair Glenn DeAngelis said that he didn’t really have expectations for the year, but promised that he would remain optimistic and that he’s happy with however much is raised.

Editor’s note: Onward State’s Managing Editor Dan Vecellio danced for EMS at THON last year.