Thon keeps fundraisers on toes

It took months of fundraising and 46 hours on their feet, but the those involved in Thon at Penn State University can take pride in raising more than $6.6 million to help fight childhood cancer. That is nearly $1.4 million more than last year.

Six Penn State Altoona students — Celeste Battocchi, Nick Borsuk, Lindsay Mundy, Niki DiNinno, Lainie Abrams and Kristina Carosella — were among the 708 dancers.

But recognition goes to more than the dancers. It takes a lot of work from other students to raise Thon’s tremendous amounts of money. It is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and benefits the Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey.

We offer a special thumbs-up to everyone who made Thon a resounding success.

Other items deserving mention:

Thumbs-up to Teresa Lang of Altoona and Mary Long from Salix, who recently were presented with the Thanks Badge for their long service to the Girl Scouts of Talus Rock Council. The Thanks Badge is the highest award presented by the Girl Scouts to an adult volunteer. Lang also was awarded her 60-year pin.

Thumbs-up to Michael M. Johnston, who has worked his way up through the ranks to become the new warden at the Blair County Prison. He is in his 25th year of service to the county, having started as corrections officer. He steadily has earned promotions over the years. The 45-year-old replaces Donald Ott, who retired in August.

Thumbs-down to authorities in Oakland, Calif., for not taking action to shut down a ‘‘trade school’’ that seeks to educate students in the growing and cooking of marijuana. Oaksterdam University says it is preparing people to work on the medical marijuana industry, although some students told an Associated Press reporter they were taking the class to gain tips of growing their own pot.

Thumbs-up to the area residents recently presented with new awards by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce for their accomplishments in various fields. Donald Ruggery Jr., managing partner of Spherion and McIntyre’s Candies, was named the Small Business Person of the Year.

Altoona Police Chief Janice Freehling was presented the Athena Award for for service and professional accomplishments by a woman. Helping start Operation Our Town, a community initiative to battle drugs and crime, earned Michael Fiore, executive vice president of Leonard S. Fiore Inc., the chamber’s Servant Leadership Award. Elaine Kilgore of Altoona received the George Award for her volunteer efforts with the Super Tuesday After School, Kids Kloset, Women’s Wardrobe and Altoona Regional Health System Behavioral Health programs.

Timothy Cassidy of New Pig Corp. received the IMPACT Award, which honors young professional leadership, while Andrew Katz, owner of Katz Financial Group, was given the Joseph R. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award. Loyalty awards were presented to Kranich’s Inc. and Holsum Bakery Inc./Sara Lee for being part of the chamber for at least 65 years.