Annual NHthon event raises more than $18,000 for charity

Two North Hills High School teachers took a cue from Penn State University’s THON charity dance marathon and implemented it locally.

Biology teacher Jennifer DiPasquale, a Penn State alum, and family consumer science teacher Amy Patsilevas started the local event in 2015.

The North Hills Student Council and the student club Hands for Service held the April 23 NHthon event, which raised more than $18,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.

Hands for Service is a club that is focused on community service and school spirit.

The NHthon was held in two parts – the morning NHthon was held for the community and free to attend, but donations were accepted.

“Students from clubs in the school came and made up their own games, and we had a superhero booth where the little kids could take pictures,” said DiPasquale.

For the second year, NHthon was held in and around Martorelli Field. Last year, that choice was due to covid restrictions,. This year was because of the success of the year prior.

The event also included carnival games, inflatables, food and basket raffles.

Many of the games offered the chance to win tickets, which then were put into a drawing, with the winners getting the chance to “slime” their principals – which was a huge draw.

Another highlight for the kids at the morning event was the opportunity for them to meet with varsity athletes and learn more about their specific sports through what was dubbed the North Hills Sports Experience.

The High School NHthon took place in the evening and was for North Hills High School students only. Students purchased tickets for the event.

North Hills High School junior Darby West, a member of the Hands for Service club, took part in the event and joined the organization after seeing her older siblings, Kevin and Julianna, take part when she was younger.

“I just watched how great of a cause it was and how much they gave back to the community, and it made me want to be involved,” said West. “It was a good day. There was so much to do and since the weather was so nice, everyone got to stay longer and [the kids had] time to see their friends.”

Money raised are donated to both the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Pittsburgh.