On Saturday, July 15, members of the Twin Valley High School (TVHS) Mini-THON Club will present the second annual TVHS Mini-THON 5K and kids' fun run/walk, during which participants will be doused with color. Proceeds will benefit Four Diamonds, a nonprofit organization that has a mission to raise money to conquer childhood cancer.

Registration will open at 10:30 a.m. at the TVHS Fitness Center, and there will be a 2K kids' run/walk beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a 5K walk/run at 11:30 a.m.

The fundraiser, designed to mimic Penn State's colorful THON 5K, will take place on the campus of TVHS and Twin Valley Middle School. "The courses will be clearly marked with arrows, and people will be directing racers on which way they need to run," explained event coordinator Chelsea Hurley, who will be a TVHS senior this fall and is the co-overall of the TVHS Mini-THON Club. "The course mostly consists of paved areas and a few grassy areas all within campus borders. The kids' run is all on the high school campus and is completely paved."

As part of the fun, participants will be doused with color at four or more points throughout the course during both the kids' and 5K run/walks.

TVHS Mini-THON members and officers plan the event and are present on race day even though school is not in session. "There is a group of dedicated students who (donate) their time to help fight pediatric cancer," Chelsea said.

Anyone can attend the race even if they are not participating as runners or walkers. "There will be plenty of places to cheer on racers, especially as they cross the finish line and are doused with color," Chelsea said. "Anyone can donate whether they would like to run the race or not; all donations are accepted."

"Last year, there were around 80 participants, and we were able to raise $1,931 - all for the kids," Chelsea added.

Twin Valley High School is located at 4897 N. Twin Valley Road, Elverson. More information about the event and a link to register can be found at http://www.facebook.com/TVHSminithon. Same-day registrations will also be accepted.

The goal of the TVHS Mini-THON Club, led by adviser Lance Chappelle, is to raise funds for Four Diamonds. The main fundraiser of the student-run club is its Mini-THON, which is a dance marathon modeled after the Penn State THON that raises money for families with children being treated for cancer at Penn State Health Children's Hospital.

Club members also hold other fundraisers throughout the year, including a holiday vendor sale and movie nights. During commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2023, TVHS principal Bill Clements reported that the club raised more than $53,000 during the 2022-23 school year. For more information, visit the aforementioned Facebook page.