Most of the Crusader family will not spend this Valentine's Day at a fancy restaurant with their significant other. Instead, students will devote themselves to a greater act of love; dancing on their feet for 24 hours straight to help raise money to fight pediatric cancer.

On Feb. 14-15 Notre Dame HS Student Council will hold its seventh annual Mini-THON. Up until the event, dancers collect donations from family, friends and the public to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.

"Mini-Thon has been such a huge part of the atmosphere at Notre Dame," said senior Lexi Fabey. "Knowing you're helping those fighting for their lives is an extremely fulfilling experience."

Motivated by Penn State University's 48-hour dance marathon, Notre Dame has held a shorter, but still challenging, 24-hour event for the past seven years. In fact, Notre Dame is the only high school in the state of Pennsylvania to hold a 24-hour Mini-Thon. Almost every other school holds a 12-hour (sometimes shorter) event.

All the money raised by students and coordinators goes directly to the Four Diamonds Fund, a charity dedicated to help pediatric cancer patients and their families.

During this period of 24 hours, students from Notre Dame strive to stay awake and on their feet while dancing and singing with classmates. Last year the Crusaders raised an incredible $74,587.80 for the children fighting cancer, exceeding 2013's collection of $67,000.

"Being able to raise well over $70,000 for the kids last year was spectacular," said senior and four-year participant Summer Carson. "To break the $75,000 mark this year would be absolutely amazing."