Each year, the Twin Valley High School (TVHS) Mini-THON club focuses on fundraising activities to benefit Four Diamonds, a nonprofit organization with a mission to conquer childhood cancer.

The most recent fundraiser was a car wash held on Sept. 20 during Honey Brook Harmony Day at the Honey Brook American Legion. Visitors were asked to make a donation to the charity in return for a free car wash.

Sarah Lerch, who is the club overall along with Ava Taylor, reported that the students washed more than 20 cars during the event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"We raised $558 from the car wash," she reported. "We had a steady line all day. People are pretty generous. They usually gave us $10 or $20."

The club's fundraising activities are held year-round, even when school is not in session. "We did a car wash at Twin Valley Elementary School in August. We raised a little over $400," said Sarah.

The club held a pickleball tournament fundraiser on Sept. 13, and it was also scheduled to hold its Gold Out football game on Sept. 26, during which club members ran a snack stand, collected donations and sold T-shirts that they designed.

Later this year, the club will again hold its Breakfast with Santa event. "We're hoping to do it at an elementary center this year," Sarah said, noting that during previous years it took place at TVHS. "This year, we are unsure about the vendor sale again, but we will have crafts (for sale) at Breakfast with Santa."

"We are also going to do a mini-Mini-THON for middle-schoolers again this year," she added.

The main fundraiser of the student-run club is its Mini-THON. The dance marathon is modeled after the Penn State THON, which raises money for families with children being treated for cancer at Penn State Children's Hospital. Last year, the Twin Valley event raised $49,598. This school year's Mini-THON at TVHS is set for Friday, April 24, 2026, from 5 to 11 p.m. This will be TVHS' 11th year participating in the activity.

The Mini-THON Club at TVHS is open to students in grades nine through 12. "We have eight officers, and we have 30-plus general members," noted Sarah. "The general membership meets every Friday, and we have an officers' meeting on Thursdays. We plan things and explain what each person has to do. Sometimes what we ask requires work outside of the meetings."

She added that club members work hard at fundraising because it benefits a local charity. "People (join the club) because it directly impacts the community," she explained. "We have families that we support in the Twin Valley community who are affected by pediatric cancer. I think it's way to help out, and (we know) that the money goes directly to pediatric cancer (research)."

For more information about the club and its activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/twin.valley.313. Those with questions may email Lance Chappelle, club adviser, at LChappelle@tvsd.org.