Thon is a student-run charity that seeks funds for kids with cancer. All money goes to the Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Children's Hospital. Since 1977, Thon has raised more than $78 million.
We're sure you've seen these energetic Penn State students "canning" for Thon.
They show up on street corners, at intersections, at street fairs, in front of shopping centers -- just about everywhere people congregate. They carry brightly marked cans and ask for donations.
The students are well-trained in how to solicit donations. They're clean cut, polite, friendly and likable.
Which makes us wonder: Why did Lower Paxton Township (PA) police cite several of the students who were soliciting on Route 22 at Colonial Road? And why did they twice fine them $95. each? Why?
The police say that the Thon collectors "have been warned for years and years and years."
Warned about what? Warned about collecting for kids with cancer?
No, the police say they're "just trying to enforce the law." They explain that they "don't make the laws, just enforce them." That old saw again!
Apparently there is a state law that says that no one is allowed in a roadway to solicit employment, business or donations.
And here's the way one police officer put it: "“Just because they’re college students jumping into the street with cans that say ‘stop cancer,’ doesn’t mean we’re going to ignore them. It’s the law.”
Well, I didn't "ignore them" either. I contributed.
And yes, the students are taught not to get in the way of traffic and not to put themselves in danger. They are given explicit instructions. But they're enthusiastic young people and they're passionate about making a difference. Isn't that admirable?
That's why the technicality of the law is routinely overlooked. After all, we are talking about helping kids with cancer.
A nearby resident expressed disgust with the fines imposed on the kids. Another simply said "It's so wrong."
This incident makes one wonder whatever happened to common sense.
Click here to donate to Thon.
4 comments:
It's all well and good until someone gets hit by a car. Once that happens, the driver of that car will be lambasted by everyone who thinks dashing into traffic for loose change is a wonderful idea, and another charity foundation will be started, this one for students who dash into traffic.
I don't care how fervent these students are, the few bucks they won't get by obeying the law are not worth their injury or death.
It's not at all unusual for these students to dash in and out of traffic to collect money. It's also not at all unusual for alcohol to be involved at THON canning events. Drunk kids and crowded intersections do not mix. That's why THON guidelines tell them to go to storefronts, not intersections. And, THON leaders have been warned many times over the years, and have told students to avoid intersections. These students just did not listen to that advice.
Once upon a time we were all kids.
We were all young.
We were all enthusiastic. We all believed in something. And now and then we may have all gotten carried away a bit.
I still try to retain some of the passion, the enthusiasm, the sincerity and dedication of youth. And as I look back on those years I remember those who understood, who were generous of spirit, who gave me a wide berth while looking out for me at the same time.
Always, it's best to show some understanding and attempt to strike a balance. I saw Thon collectors all over the city this past weekend. No one was hurt and everyone was understanding and supportive. And no, the kids were not intoxicated.
Please note: It's a lot more crowded in the city and there are a lot more cars. If this "problem" is so prevalent, one wonders why these arrests appear to be isolated incidents.
These arrests appear to be isolated incidents because officers would rather move kids along. This is enforcement of the law just as much as an arrest is, and is actually a testament to an officer's restraint. Yes we were all young, but the law is in place for a reason, and just because you didn't see any problems doesn't mean there weren't any. Just as you say you haven't seen any issues, I can easily tell you of kids I have seen darting into traffic, of traffic being held up because people were digging through their purse, pockets, etc. There are plenty of other places to solicit donations, the last thing we need in the roadway are more distractions. But please, continue to wax nostalgic, it makes for a good argument on traffic safety.
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