4423 Lehigh Road #892 College Park, MD 20740 terpthon@gmail.

com

Contact: Julie Faust (410)-292-0842 jfaust@umd.edu

FEATURE RELEASE University of Maryland student brings life to a 12-hour party

COLLEGE PARK, Md. February 27, 2013 University of Maryland student Melanie Modula may seem like an average senior. She is a communication major from New Jersey who likes to relax and watch TV. However, there is something extraordinary about the 21-year-old student: she is the executive director of an organization that has raised more than $500,000 for sick children. Modula is the executive director of Terp Thon, which is one of the largest student organizations at the University of Maryland. Terp Thon raises money for Childrens National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The money Terp Thon
Modula, left, spends countless hours working for the kids. Photo courtesy of Melanie Modula

raises helps pay for hospital services at Childrens National Medical Center.

(more)

Responsibilities for the kids

As executive director, Modulas responsibilities include overseeing Terp Thons annual 12-hour dance marathon, in which more than 1,000 students participate in every year. She also oversees the tasks of 11 Terp Thon committees and ensures that all decisions fulfill the organizations purpose.
Dancers at last years marathon participated in different fun activities, including line dancing. Photo courtesy of Childrens National Medical Center

I enjoy working on Terp Thon every day because I know every ounce I put into it is helping making a difference in the lives of so many children, Modula said. According to childrensnational.org, Childrens National Medical Center admitted more than 14,000 children in 2012. The hospital was also able to
Student dancers hang out with Miracle Bear. Photo courtesy of helpmakemiracles.org

provide $41.3 million in uncompensated care, thanks to organizations like Terp Thon. Modula

encouraged students to get involved with Terp Thon and think about working on a committee. The cause is one that is so meaningful to so many people in our community, which makes it so easy to dedicate yourself, Modula said.

(more)

Partying with a purpose from the beginning

Modula first became involved with Terp Thon her freshman year in 2010, which was Terp Thons first year as well. She said she initially joined because of her brothers involvement in THON at Penn State, which also raises money for Childrens Miracle Network. Schools across the United States have hosted dance marathons for local Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals since 1991. Today, more than 150 high schools and colleges hold such dance marathons. Last year alone, these schools raised a total of $8 million for the kids. Modula, now a senior, has served as executive director for two years. She said she has continued her involvement in Terp Thon because she thinks a hospital is no place to spend a childhood. I want to do everything in my power to ensure that more kids get to play outside, Modula said. Under Modulas leadership, Terp Thon broke fundraising records in its third year, when it raised $270,000. Modula hopes to raise $324,000 this year, 20 percent more than last year. The growth of Terp Thon from my freshman year to my senior year is absolutely incredible, Modula said. Weve spread word across campus to students and facultyand have already formed an alumni association of dedicated Terp Thon alumni.
Modula, right, takes charge of the dance marathon. Photo courtesy of Melanie Modula

Challenges and the Future

Running a student organization with more than 1,000 participants is not easy. Modula thinks that many of the challenges she faces stem from how young the organization is. (more)

It is hard as a young organization to pave the way for future years to come and to make decisions that you know will leave an impact, Modula said. There are many instances where we have not had all the answers, and there have also been many instances where we have had to learn from our mistakes, but it makes us improve and progress as student leaders. Modula said she does not want her work with Childrens Miracle Network to end after graduation and that she would love to continue assisting the organization. I have become very passionate about Childrens Miracle Network, Modula said. Wherever I end up, I do hope I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of others. Melanie Modula is the executive director of Terp Thon, one of the largest student organizations at the University of Maryland. Terp Thon raises money for Childrens National Medical Center, in association with Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals, to assist hospitals in helping local children. Under Modulas leadership, the organization has raised more than $300,000. To learn more or donate to Terp Thon, visit Terpthon.org. To contact Melanie Modula directly, email executivedirector@terpthon.org. Facts and statistics for this release came from terpthon.org, childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org and childrensnational.org. Quotes were taken from an interview with Melanie Modula that was conducted by Julie Faust on Feb. 26, 2013.

###