The THON Team at Cumberland Valley >are not afraid. They have been planning and working, and fund-raising, year round, anticipating their “big event.” They apparently also have an “in” with God. In looking at the weather maps, and they way the storm will swirl about Pennsylvania, it appears our portion of South-Central PA will emerge relatively unscathed and, more importantly, with no school cancellations that would have a negating effect on CV THON.

So I am left with two requests: Pray for “no snow.” And, when it comes to donations, “Pray for Rain.” Pray, that our community will continue to reach out, and touch hundreds of lives through the love and dedication of these high school kids!

I am posting a triple video threat today. First, I wanted to share a video from Penn State’s THON in 2009, entitled “Where are They Now.” A powerful testimony to the love and devotion the THON has, and the impact the Four Diamonds Fund has had on children 10 15, or 20 years after they were diagnosed with pediatric cancer.

The second video shows just home much fun CV THON students have, as they find creative ways to not only raise money For The Kids, but to do it while having fun with each other (This time–dodge-ball.) Check the schedule. They have this Dodge Ball TOURNAMENT scheduled DURING CV THON! According to Matthew, they have about 30 teams — “It’s EPIC.”

Finally, no plea for you, dear readers, to “Pray for Rain” would be complete without including the song from PFR.

FOR THE KIDS!

Where are They Now

DODGEBALL

PFR

I am sure you are wondering “how can I donate, and ensure these kids get credit for it?” It’s simple. From their website:

For Members of the Community

Donations of $100 and up will receive a t-shirt.

Donations can be sent to:

CV Four Diamonds Fund
Cumberland Valley High School
6746 Carlisle Pike
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Attn: Elizabeth Rimpfel

These kids work hard year round.  They are planning, canning (raising funds at sporting events and retailers), and reaching out to the media.  They certainly know that it is important to work hard FOR THE KIDS.

BUT… they also know how to have fun.  Don’t believe me? Just watch this video.

Take the time to learn about the wide range of activities they have planned at the CV THON by visiting their site at http://cvschools.org/thon and then watch the video of last year’s LINE DANCE at CV THON!

FOR THE KIDS!

…to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children treated at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support, and innovative research.

Any family with a child being treated for pediatric cancer at Penn StateHershey Children’s Hospital is automatically eligible for support.

But wait-there’s MORE!

Cumberland Valley High School has their THON Dance Marathon this coming weekend.  High school kids couldn’t sit by and watch Penn State students raise all the funds.  They too were moved to help in the fight against childhood cancer.  They too wanted to contribute in not only money, but time and passion.  They too wanted to dance to victory over Pediatric Cancer.

So they will have their THON dance, February 27th-28th, 2010.  Learn more about CV Thon here.  Or see pictures from last year’s CV THON.

You can support CV THON by donating directly to the Four Diamonds Fund.  Just visit their site at: http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/development/give

Oh, and watch these videos.

As usual, I put the slideshow together for them.  I have had a few requests to make the slideshow available for others to watch, so here it is.

You can go watch the final Match recorded as we streamed it, live, via uStream.  If you want to watch that match (or many of the others from the Tournament) go to http://uStream.tv/cvpolo

I realized, as I was going through the site here, that I had failed to actually post last year’s CVHS commercial that we put together when CV Boys won that same title, defeating none other than Wilson HS for the honor of being the 2008 Champions.  That was the same year that we put together the “Wilson… is Going Down!” video before the dual match at CV.

So,

To help motivate the team I did this week’s water polo commercial.  I had asked Matt if he wanted to do it, but he said he wanted to be surprised with it–so this one is mine.

If you like this work, or any of the other graphics work you see on this page, email Matt and let him know.  You can reach him at his “new” graphics company email

matt@spreadhdgfx.com

(nb:  we have two versions here.  The first is an h.264 mpeg codec version, and the other is a flash video.  I would really appreciate feedback from you on which ones played for you (or both, or neither…)

This “commercial” sets the tone for that match-up. (Oh, and it’s Senior Recognition Day too.)

I have uploaded three versions.  The first is a Flash (.flv) version.  The second is an MPEG2 file (mpg) and the last  is a Quicktime file (.mov)

Check out his latest on the Matthew’s Wallpapers page (Tab is above, or click on the link)

If you like what you see, and would like to commission a work for yourself, feel free to contact him!

Matthew really enjoys Pandora Radio, and the serendipitous event it brings of finding new music.  Dad loves the way Shazam helps him “Name That Tune” and even purchase it. And Matthew enjoys finding radio stations from around the country using AOL Radio.

Key to our choices?  They are all FREE.*

Have a listen.  Another “From the Kitchen Table” production

*Free on the iPhone.  If you get these apps through other cellphone models you may have to pay a monthly fee.

Matthew chooses the Facebook app as one everyone high school and college student should have, but then he pulls another out of his hat–the Weather Channel app!  It’s not only useful to plan your day, but also… well, listen to how he uses it in school!

Dad chose the AccuFuel app.  It is quite useful to track fuel consumption rates  by car.  Record how many gallons of gas you purchase, and how many miles you have driven and let it do the rest.

Matthew has enjoyed swimming and water polo this season.  If you have viewed any of the water polo videos here, you can see how much fun they have had on their way to winning the State HS Championship.

The team is planning a trip as a team to Pepperdine University this summer to attend what is perhaps the premiere water polo training camp. They hope to continue their growth as Polo players and perhaps win not just a second State Championship for the Boys team, but to regain the title for the Girls team.

That said, we are asking for your help.  This camp is not cheap.  They estimate that it will cost $1200 to send a player to camp.  We are hoping you can help send Matt.

Matthew wants to work to earn his money to get to camp.  As you can see from this website, he is quite talented with the graphic arts, and would like to do “Custom Desktop Wall-Papers” for you.  For $50, he will use up to three (large) photos that you send him, and work with you to create your own special wallpaper.  Imagine having your own wallpaper on your computer, making whatever statement you wish!

You can view many of his wallpapers by clicking on the page-tab above, “Desktop Wallpapers by Matthew”

If you don’t want, or need, a “Custom Desktop Wall-Paper” you can still help.  Just donate $2, $5, $10, or really any amount, to help out.  If 600 people each donated just $2 each, he is on his way!

How do you do this?  Well, if you want a wallpaper created, email Matt at matt@fathersonchats.com and tell him what you want.  He will write you back within 24-48 hours (pending swim-meet events) and make the arrangements.  Once the wallpaper is completed to your satisfaction, then use the “donate” button you see off to the left to make your contribution.

If you just want to simply make a small donation, again, use that  “donation” tab off to the left side.    Just click on it, and fill out the amount you wish to donate, along with the other payment information.

Using PayPal makes it really that simple!

Thanks for all your support!

Steve and Matthew, The Father Son Chats.

Do you like the wallpapers?   Go read how you can get one custom made, and help Matthew earn his way to Water Polo camp!