The countdown to THON is almost over. Dancers will stand and 15,000 dedicated volunteers will flood the BJC in an animated effort to claim the perfect section to watch all the magic of the weekend unfold.

As the time leading to THON’s proper start dwindles down, so does our Director series. On Tuesday, we discussed the “First In and Last Out” motto with OPPerations Director Jake Crisculo. Supply Logistics Director Elysa Kolvek is in our spotlight now, as we had an extremely interesting conversation dealing with year-long donations, the THON Raffle, and well…a lot of yarn.

Elysa Kolvek, Supply Logistics (SL)

Major: Kinesiology

Past THON Experience: I was a Hospitality Committee Member for two years and a Hospitality Captain for one.

What’s an interesting, weird, or quirky fact about you? My grandma’s cousin’s wife was the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz.

Onward State: What made you want to apply for the Supply Logistics Director Position for THON 2016?

Elysa Kolvek: I applied to be a member of the Executive Committee because I knew it would provide me the opportunity to have a lasting impact on a philanthropy that has given me so much more than I could ever give it. I wanted to use my past knowledge from my Hospitality Committee and experience a different aspect of THON! Having the opportunity to make an even larger impact has been such an incredible experience.

OS: What are your responsibilities as the Supply Logistic Director?

EK: I am responsible for obtaining all in-kind donations for all THON events leading up to and including THON Weekend. This includes but is not limited to Dancer and Family bags, the balloons and decorations for events, and much more. Supply Logistics is also responsible for planning and executing the THON Raffle.

OS: What do you want to implement in your position this year that’s unique and differs from years past?

EK: One of my major goals for this year is to really look into the sustainability of SL for future years to come. I plan to look at how things have been done in the past with a critical eye, and make sure that whatever decisions I make throughout this year are in the best interest of SL and THON as a whole. I also plan to find more ways to engage our donors and maintain relationships with them, because they play such a vital role in what we are able to accomplish as a philanthropy.

OS: What are the overall goals you wish to reach within your specific position committee for THON 2016?

EK: My Supply Logistics theme for this year is Surpass the Limits. I hope that each and every one of my Captains embraces their positions to their full potential and puts their dreams into full motion this year. The sky is the limit, and I cannot wait to see what our team will achieve.

OS: Why do you THON, Elysa?

EK: I THON so that kids can have the ability to dream again, so that kids can have their childhoods back, so that they can laugh and smile and be kids as they’re supposed to, so that parents can focus on their kids and not be burdened by money, and so that one day, no one will ever have to hear the words “your child has cancer.”

OS: Can you tell us about your favorite THON memory?

EK: One of the most impactful memories I have had of THON was getting to meet all of the new families this year alongside the rest of the Executive Committee at New Family Orientation in Hershey! We spent hours playing with the new Four Diamonds kids and seeing them have the time of their lives and talking to the parents was definitely one of my favorite experiences.

OS: Finally, an Onward State tradition. If you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

EK: I would be a Parasaurolophus because Ducky was my favorite character in The Land Before Time and that’s what kind of dinosaur she is.