Believe it or not, THON 2022 is almost here. And as hundreds of Penn State students get set to dance for a cure, their friends and families are preparing dancer mail — the practical magic that simply keeps ’em going all 46 hours long.

For those who don’t know, dancers can receive letters and packages from friends and family during their 46 hours on their feet throughout THON Weekend. These heartfelt messages can often push dancers through tough times and provide a smile for even a few moments.

Naturally, if you’re cheering on a dancer at THON 2022, you’ll probably want to send some mail their way. Here’s all you’ll need to know:

The Deadline

No matter what you’re sending out, letters and packages need to be postmarked by Monday, February 7, to reach THON’s office (and, later, dancers) in time. To confidently make sure your dancer gets his or her mail, send ’em in as soon as possible. You can even drop letters off in person at 322 HUB by February 9 if you want to cut out the middle man.

There’s no limit to the number of letters a dancer could receive, but packages are limited, so be sure to consult with your dancer’s friends and family to make sure you’re good to go. In years past, THON has required packages to not exceed 14″ x 14″ x 8″ dimensions.

Addressing Mail

This part’s simple. All dancer mail should be addressed as follows:

Penn State Dance Marathon (Mail Call)
Attn: [Dancer’s name] [Dancer’s number]
227D Hetzel Union Building (HUB)
University Park, PA 16802

Be sure to contact your dancer of choice to make sure you’ve got their number jotted down correctly.

What To Include

Dancer mail should, ideally, cheer up your favorite dancer, so be sure to include some heartfelt words, good jokes, and uplifting remarks. Take a look through this post to see what kind of mail dancers received when THON went virtual last February.

Feel free to include some more practical presents, including games or puzzles to pass the 46 hours. A small amount of fun could go a long way down on the BJC floor.

No matter what you choose, try to add some touches to your dancer mail that really aligns with your dancer. If you’re sending mail their way, you probably know them pretty well, so be sure to put together something they’ll really appreciate.

What To Leave Out

Above all else, don’t include any perishable items. Nobody knows how long your package might sit in a dingy office inside the HUB, so don’t bank on any food staying fresh all the way through THON Weekend. The last thing you need is to disorientate a dancer with the smell of moldy food or the effects of a no-good meal.