Many people are curious about just what you CAN and CANnot do on a Canning Weekend.  We compiled a short list about some canning myths to clear some things up:

1. “You can go canning after dark.”
FALSE!  It is incredibly unsafe for you to be canning after dark.  You can start canning at dawn, and need to finish by dusk.  By that time, you’ll be so tired that you’ll be ready for dinner and sleep anyway!

2. “You’re encouraged you to run into the road to collect donations”
FALSE!  You must obey the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, which can be found in the THON 2012 Rulebook.  You are not allowed to stand in medians or in the middle of streets.  You must use the sidewalk when available.  Keep yourself safe.

3. “You can go canning wherever you want, without a permit.”
FALSE!  You must not only register all of the spots that you will be canning with on  THINK, but you also need to make sure that you are in compliance with all rules of the municipality that you are in.  Make sure that you are calling stores to make sure that it is okay to stand in front of their store and where it is and is not okay for you to can.  Call the township in which you will be canning and find out information on permits.  If you need any help with this, contact the Rules and Regulations Overall Chairperson, Mairead Hanna.  

4. “You don’t need any identification with you when you can.”
FALSE!  Carry your Penn State ID Card with you whenever you are out canning.  This way, if anyone asks, you have proof that you are a current Penn State student who is allowed to be out canning for THON.

5. “Safety gear is not a necessity when you go canning.”
FALSE!  You are only allowed to can during the daylight hours, but you still need to be wearing bright colors.  You don’t want to take the chance of not being visible to passing motorists.  Plus, it’s a great time to showcase all the neon you have in your closet.

6. “You can go canning whenever you want.”
FALSE!  There are four weekends during the year which you are able to can on;
           Canning Weekend 1: September 30th - October 2nd, 2011
                 Canning Weekend 2: December 2 - 4, 2011
                 Canning Weekend 3: January 20 - 22, 2012
                 Canning Weekend 4: February 10 - 12, 2012
Anyone found to be canning outside of these time frames will face serious consequences, such as the loss of funds if they are caught.

7. “You’re encouraged to take credit card information.”
FALSE!  Do not solicit any credit card information at any time!  If a person does not have any cash or change on them, encourage them to go to thon.org in order to make a donation there.  They can even make the donation to your fundraising organization, or to your dancer number if they would like.  

8. “The money you collect is yours to use as you wish.”
FALSE! Since you are collecting money for THON, all the money that you raise is to go directly to THON.  You are not to use it for gas, food, or anything like that.  THON garners so much money from canning that for you to steal money from such a worthwhile cause would greatly impact THON.

9. “You don’t need any of the can wraps or signs.”
FALSE!  The up-to-date wraps and signs are a way to show people in cars who you are and what organization that you are canning for.  They are integral to adding legitimacy to what you are doing in a quick and efficient manner, so make sure that you have them visible.

10. “You should argue with anyone who is in the same spot as you.”
FALSE!  The money that you raise is all going to be going to the same place.  Instead of arguing with someone over a spot and wasting valuable time canning you should instead work out a way in which you are able to share the spot.  Working together will make your canning trip much more successful.

If you have any further questions about any of the rules talked about above, or if we didn’t cover anything, refer either to the Rulebook, or email Mairead Hanna.  Have a safe and successful Canning Weekend and  let us know anything cool or interesting that happens this weekend and good luck!