November 06, 2012
Up ‘til Dawn fundraiser is Saturday
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The fourth annual Southern Illinois University Carbondale Up 'til Dawn philanthropic student event to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is happening Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Student Recreation Center.
The doors open at 8:30 p.m. and the event will kick off a half-hour later. Organizers hope to top last year's event that drew more than 1,200 participants. Those participants helped bring in more than $65,000 to help in the fight against childhood cancers and diseases, ranking SIU Carbondale fourth in the nation for collegiate Up 'til Dawn fundraising.
The University's student-led Up 'til Dawn has raised in excess of $165,000 in its first three years. These efforts have earned the University national recognition from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in previous years.
All SIU Carbondale students, faculty and staff are welcome to participate. Just bring at least 20 valid addresses Saturday evening to mail prepared donation request letters seeking contributions for St. Jude. Avoid waiting in line by pre-registering at www.utd.rso.siu.edu.
The festivities will include hamster ball races, a giant Jenga game, Zumba, face painting, a guest DJ, Twister, a photo booth, and of course, lots of free food and soda. You can also play Fear Factor, enjoy the variety show, check out the chili cook-off and try your hand at assorted inflatables, including an obstacle course. You'll also want to visit the Up 'til Dawn Inspiration Tent where you can see the many faces of St. Jude, and learn more about the research hospital that turns no child away, regardless of ability to pay.
The doors close at midnight but the activities will continue until 3 a.m. Participants are eligible for a variety of great prizes including a $250 Visa card, an iPad, two $100 travel gift certificates and numerous other gift cards, certificates and items.
The event sponsor, Up 'til Dawn, is a campus Registered Student Organization affiliated with Student Involvement and Leadership Development, a unit of Student Life and Intercultural Relations. The campus Up 'til Dawn group is part of a national, student-led philanthropic program that benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
More information about the University's Up 'til Dawn event is available on the Up 'til Dawn-Southern Illinois University Carbondale Facebook page, or by email to the to the executive board at uptildawnsiu@gmail.com.