Name: Madison Hayes

Major: Biobehavioral Health

Past THON Experience

THON 2018 Finance Committee Member
THON 2019 Finance Administrative Assistant Captain
THON 2020 Finance Assistant Treasurer Captain

Name an interesting, weird, or quirky fact about yourself:

In 2018, I ran the Disney World Dopey Challenge, which totals 48.6 miles in four days.

What made you want to apply for the Finance Director position for THON 2021?

Four Diamonds and THON have a special place in my heart. This organization has provided so much hope to me and my family, and I am driven to give back in every possible way. Having the ability to share this unwavering hope with every volunteer, family, and stakeholder was my motivation in becoming a Director for THON 2021. The Finance Committee had become my home at Penn State for the past 3 years, and I wanted to spend my senior year doing what I love.

What are your responsibilities as the Finance Director?

As the Finance Director, I am in charge of tracking the total for the THON
Community’s fundraising efforts, creating and maintaining the THON 2021 budget, and producing the Summary of Fundraising Activities for THON 2020. I also work to assure that all monetary donations are processed with integrity by 22 Finance Captains and 75 Committee Members.

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

Just like this year being unique and different, the Finance Committee has been working to find new ways to support organizations in their fundraising efforts. This year, Finance has worked with other committees to utilize the THON Store for money collection for purchases not related to merchandise, like the THON Weekend cardboard cutouts. Additionally, we have been working to make money collection safer and more accessible to those who are virtual or not in State College.

What makes the Finance Committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

The Finance Committee has the unique opportunity to make a year-round
impact by counting and processing all donations received by THON.
This allows us to spend a lot of time together in the THON Office as a committee. It is very special to see the total raised at the end of THON
Weekend and know that every penny we counted and check we processed
contributed to the total that represents all the hard work on the THON
Community.

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2021?

My goal for the Finance Committee this year is to maintain consistency in our processes through the pandemic. Additionally, our goal is to support the THON Community in their fundraising efforts in every possible way we can.

Why do you THON?

I THON for my brother, a previous Four Diamonds cancer survivor. THON helped my brother during his treatments, so I am passionate about giving back to this incredible organization. Throughout my years involved in THON, I have had the honor of meeting numerous Four Diamonds Families, and I also THON for them. Each of these families has truly demonstrated courage, honesty, wisdom, and strength, and I THON for their bright futures.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

My favorite THON memory was from the total reveal for THON 2020 when my co-captain and I were behind the stage working the PowerPoint presentation. It was the most surreal feeling when the total cards were raised, and we watched the entire crowd in the BJC light up from the THON Community’s accomplishments. The sense of community and pride was overwhelming, and I will always cherish this moment.

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

An Iguanodon because I could live in the Disney World Dinosaur ride.