THON announced that Canning Weekend #4 will occur the weekend of February 3-5, a week earlier than originally scheduled. The decision was made to "give more students, such as dancers and Committee Members, the opportunity to participate if they so choose," according to the release from THON.
After last night's announcement of the cancellation of Canning Weekend #3, social media erupted with aches of disappointment. But before long, students, alumni, and the many supporters of THON were uniting to make amends through, what Onward State's own John Tecce has dubbed, #CyberCanning. But how significant of a role does a Canning Weekend play in the overall fundraising of THON? Can you reschedule a Canning Weekend? I reached out to THON Overall Elaine Tanella and Public Relations Overall Kirsten Quisenberry to get some answers.
Have you seen the #CyberCanning hashtag making its way through your Twitter timeline? Wondering how we can make up for lost money with the cancellation of this weekend's canning trip? Here's how #CyberCanning started, and why you should keep it going.
Earlier this afternoon, THON tweeted that due to an incoming storm front, they were reconsidering the weekend's fundraising, urging students not to head-out yet. THON has now confirmed that they have canceled Canning Weekend #3 "due to weather forecast of icing that is detrimental to volunteer safety for travel and canning."
Courtney O'Bryan's death was and is, unmistakably, a tragedy. I think I speak for all of Penn State when I say how shocked and saddened we were to hear the dreadful news. But when I found out that THON had responded by mandating attendance at canning workshops, I wondered if the lesson her death taught us had actually been learned, or if the organization simply aimed to obfuscate the real risk.
With a little less than a month until our favorite weekend of the year, this week will offer a variety of events for students to get involved and hyped for THON. Starting tonight with a THON Bowl, see what other events are scheduled for the rest of the week.