Students

Canning Information

Canister solicitation, more commonly known as "canning", is a proven Terp Thon tradition that can greatly bolster your fundraising efforts when done properly. Terp Thon has designated canning weekends throughout the year, during which we get high levels of participation from ALL of our Terp Thon members. Check out and sign up for upcoming canning trips.

What you will need on the day of your canning trip:
  • Canning Contract
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Canning containers with official Terp Thon/Children's Miracle Network logos
  • Canning Flyer

Can & Poster Pick Up: Every Thursday prior to a canning date from the Terp Thon Office in the Student Involvement Suite from 2PM-5PM. Cans and posters may also be picked up from the Terp Thon office in the Student Involvement Suite the day of the canning trip from 9:30AM-11AM.

Money/Can & Poster Drop Off: Money and posters must be dropped off to the Terp Thon office by 2 hours after the canning trip ends (8PM is the latest time). Someone will be available in the office from the start time of the canning trip until 2 hours after the trip is over.

Typical canning pitch: "Hi my name is ______, and I'm trying to raise money to support the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Would you like to help my cause?"

To ensure the safety and success of your next canning trip, please carefully review the following DOs and DON'Ts:

Dos:
  • Wear Terp Thon apparel.
  • Properly display official Terp Thon signs.
  • Carry either your University ID, or a valid drivers license.
  • Abide by all traffic and solicitation laws for the area you are canning in, as well as any other laws.
  • Pick a heavily populated location.
  • Within 24 hours of your canning trip, input earnings into personal donor drive account, and schedule a pick up/drop off with the fundraising chairman (fundraising@terpthon.org)
  • Represent Terp Thon, as well as the University of Maryland, in a positive and respectful manner.

Dont's:
  • Don't can at night.
  • Don't can by yourself.
  • Don't count your money in public.
  • Don't can in the middle of streets or intersections.
  • Don't be frustrated if you don't raise as much money as you thought you would, every penny counts!

If you have questions regarding canning trips, please email fundraising@terpthon.org.