THON: Lions Pride Donates 20 Percent of February Sales to Four Diamonds Fund

By Margaret McAvoy

As the father of two young healthy children, Steve Moyer understands the emotions of THON.

As a small business owner, he wanted to help make a difference.

For the third consecutive year, the store is donating 20 percent of its February sales directly to THON. That’s about $20,000, for a three-year total of about $60,000.

“That amount of money from one single business is tremendous and definitely makes me more inclined to shop at Lions Pride in the future,” THON morale captain Kristen Parker said.

Even in a tight economy, making the contribution is an important part of living and working in the Penn State community, Moyer said.

“THON is just an incredible event,” Moyer said. “For me, watching from its beginnings and to see where it is now is just amazing.”

Danielle Stemple, a Penn State alumnus and Lions Pride sales associate, said the promotion targets not only students, but the large Penn State alumni base as well. In fact, more than half of the store’s February sales have taken place online.

Lions Pride also created a THON 2011 t-shirt, with all profits going directly to THON. The front of the t-shirt features a Nittany Lion proudly holding a THON flag. On the back is a quote by Joe Paterno that says, “When they say, ‘We are Penn State,’ this is what they are talking about.” (These T-Shirts are now sold out)

Three of the four Penn State students employed at Lions Pride are heavily involved in THON, including sales associate and THON dancer Jenny Lorenzo.

“Working for a man who is willing to give a large portion of his profit is indescribable,” Lorenzo said. “He does it all for THON and the community.”