Why did Penn Staters take to the streets of Manhattan in search of clues, elusive landmarks and required “pit stops” for liquid refreshment? For a good cause.

In late August, more than 175 Penn State alumni and friends took to the streets of Manhattan’s trendy East Village and Gramercy Park neighborhoods. Their mission: solve the 50 clues and get photos with specific New York landmarks, like an active gas lamp or the original location of the Fillmore East, all within four hours. The 10-member teams—with names like “Alum-dog Millionaires” and “Sam & Kate+Eight”—were armed with maps that required “pit stops” at neighborhood watering holes, where they could answer bonus trivia questions while replenishing fluids.

When time was called, “Sam & Kate+Eight” had the most points, followed by “Team Jill/Tea Party” and “The Puck Bunnies.” For their efforts, the winners received a free happy hour for team members and guests at two popular pubs. The runners up won credits toward bar tabs at the same pubs. THON and the Four Diamonds Fund were the big winners since the event raised more than $6,000 “for the kids.” 

The event was a joint effort of the Philanthropic and Hope Gala committees of the Penn State Alumni Association’s New York City Chapter and local members of DMAIG, the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group. The scavenger hunt was a warm-up event for the chapter’s Hope Gala, an elegant evening that benefits THON and the Four Diamonds Fund. This year’s Hope Gala will be held Jan. 22, 2010, in New York City.

More information on the New York City Chapter.

More information on the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG).

List of all Penn State Alumni Association chapters and groups.