As THON’s overall total climbs further up each year, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers and start to wonder where they’re all coming from. As the second canning weekend comes closer, we’re reminded that THON’s student volunteers who stand out in the cold to raise money FTK are a huge part of the fundraising effort.

Special Interest Organizations make up a large percentage of the canning totals for the year. These dedicated orgs have managed to bring in even higher totals on their first canning weekend of 2014 than ever before.

Below are a few of the special interest orgs that have made a big impact for this THON season’s total and have drastically improved from their previous fundraising years.

Atlas 

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $127,545.10 (up about $35,000 up from 2013)

“This weekend went very well compared to previous years! We sent out more canners than we ever have, and generated a great total FTK,” said Executive Chair Kevin Cass. “Much more importantly, we placed a higher emphasis on canner safety in the last few months, and we’ve seen that effort rewarded with a safe and successful weekend. For all of these reasons, I’m very excited for the coming weekend, but I’ll refrain from making any predictions.”

Springfield

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $82,803.42 (up about $30,000 up from 2013)

“Springfield’s first weekend went extremely well. We sent out 199 Canners, putting together a group effort that has never been seen before in our organization,” said canning Chair James O’Hara. “With so many Canners signed up, Springfield had to charter a 55 person Fullington bus in order to get all our Canners to host’s houses. With such a large total, our organization is nothing but optimistic of what is to come in the fundraising season ahead of us. Whatever total we raise will reflect the hard work and sacrifices our Canners put out this next Canning Weekend.”

Ohana

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $68,386.51 (up about $15,000 up from 2013)

“We had a lot more sign-ups than in past years, which we were really excited about. We sent out a record number of canners this past weekend and, all in all, I believe everyone who went on trips had a great time,” said Executive Chair Maura Swisher. “Obviously, we want to go out and raise as much money as we can for THON, but we do not want to overlook the bonding aspect of it all. Canning is a perfect time to meet some new people and even make a few friends.”

Apollo 

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $49,143.87 (up about $9,000 up from 2013)

“The weekend was our most successful yet — we sent out more canners than we ever have before!” said Executive Chair Kristen Brown. “We’re sending out a few less canners for this second weekend due to many members canning with their THON committees, as well as busy exam schedules, so I expect that it will be a little bit less financially successful, but still a great weekend, altogether!”

FOTO 

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $23,631 (up about $8,000 up from 2013)

“I think the Canning weekend went really well, but it’s hard to judge since it was a lot later than usual,” said Executive Chair Sean Klause.

Hershey Kisses For The Kids 

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $3,028.28 (almost double from 2013)

“This year, we are fortunate enough to have grown as an org — mostly with freshmen joining the group — so I feel like this past weekend went well,” said Executive Chair Bridget Lavelle. “We are made up of 30 members, and we had 15 join us on this canning trip. Everyone had the motivation to do well, and we beat our goal by almost doubling it!”

A-7 

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $14,069.83 (up about $5,000 from 2013)

“Clearly, this year’s first weekend was terrific,” said Executive Chair Matt Allibone. “It was also the highest total we’ve ever had for a single canning trip. I’m going to hold off on making a prediction right now, though!”

Futures 

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $8,832.00 (more than double from 2013)

“I think the weekend went well! All together, despite any problems, we had a very successful first trip,” said Executive Chair Mike Buchanan. “I really cannot predict what we will raise this upcoming weekend, but we are hoping to break $10,000.00.”

Everyday

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $4,000 (up about $200 up from 2013)

“The first canning trip, we had an amazing time staying with our THON family — the Mortons — in Allentown,” said Executive Chair Brian Wright. “Last year, we made a little under $4,000 on the first trip. We hope to make even more money this trip as we head to Westfield, NJ.”

Bee House 

Canning Weekend #1 Total: $9,172.45 (up about $175 up from 2013)

“I believe it went pretty well,” said Executive Chair Kyle Emerson. “We were trying to shoot for $10,000 for the first Canning weekend, but we’re happy with how it went.”

Congratulations to these Special Interest Organizations for the exciting jumps in their totals from the first canning weekend compared to last year! Good luck to all of them, and the rest of the Special Interest Organizations and THON committees out there, as they go into the second canning weekend. Hopefully the totals all keep climbing!