Logan Rice, sophomore nursing major, explains the Up ‘til Dawn organization to Russell Cornelius, senior business administration major. Up ‘til Dawn set up a table in the union last week for students sign up for the letter sending party.
Lingzi Su/The Bulletin
Up ‘til Dawn, a student organization that raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, has raised about $3,000 toward their goal of acquiring $30,000 by the end of the school year, said Josh Woolhiser, rehab counseling graduate student and sponsorship chair for the RSO.
St. Jude is, according to the hospital’s website, devoted to “find(ing) cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment. And no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.”
Danny Thomas, who had prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes to “help me find my way in life,” opened the hospital in 1962. In 2005, the hospital completed a five-year, $1 billion renovation that more than doubled the size of its original facility.
One of the events held this year to raise money was a small tug-of-war tournament on Oct. 6. Eight people showed up to raise around $22, Woolhiser said.
The biggest event for the group is its annual letter sending party that will be held from 6-11 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Participating students are asked to bring 50 addresses to send pre-written letters to family, friends, and coworkers.
There will be a best-dressed award, prizes such as bookstore gift cards and a $200 Visa credit card, sports-themed activities and free food. ESU student hip-hop duo Gabe and Benny will also perform at the event.
Students can sign up individually, with a team of at least five people or with an organization.
This is the group’s fifth year raising funds for St. Jude, and in previous years they have done a Zumba event, a garage sale and a Pizza Ranch fundraiser.
“It’s (Up ‘til Dawn) a worthy cause because it brings students together on campus to unite to fight childhood cancer,” said Kayla Baker, senior nursing major.
Tess Hobson, senior communication major, said she thought Up ‘Til Dawn was a worthwhile cause because “there are children out there who don’t necessarily get to experience the same the things we do because they get sick at such a young age.”
Another upcoming event is “Manicures for the Cure,” the date for which is to be determined.