'Up 'til dawn' benefits children of St. Jude

March 24, 2004
By Katie Kerr
Staff Writer

The Up ‘Til Dawn program finally went out with a bang last Friday night, March 18 - the program had its final night where students and volunteers stay “Up ‘til Dawn.”

Up ‘Til Dawn is a program hosted by college campuses all over the country in an effort to raise money for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. 

St. Jude’s treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases regardless of their ability to pay.  St. Ambrose students started this program last year when they raised over $34,000 dollars.  In order to raise money, students form groups of six and start a letter writing campaign.  Letters are sent to family and friends who donate money in the name of St. Jude’s efforts.

Katie Hoefer was the student director for the Up ‘Til Dawn program and was thankful for all the volunteers.

“This night is really special and it’s for all of us who helped out and put their time into this really wonderful program.” Hoefer said.  “Tonight is all about thanking them and giving them the opportunity to meet some of the kids that they helped.”

Throughout the night of entertainment, patients stopped by to partake in some of the fun.  Buck’s Pizza donated pizza, and snacks were passed out to all attendees while they were able to listen to music by the DJ from S & L sound, student Josh Sherrod. 

Basketball, beanbag throws, and four square were just a few of the games everyone was playing until 3:00 am.  Along with all the fun and games, ComedySportz, a competitive improv group, stopped by to do a show as well as visits from several bands and the SAU baseball team.

“It was really cool to be able to write letters and now help out tonight,” junior baseball player TJ Mclaughlin said.  “Some of us guys are signing autographs for the kids and we’re just playing a little game of catch.”   

At the end of the night the announcement was made of the total amount of money raised.  The total amount for all the groups' fundraising efforts was over 48,500 dollars.  The group who raised the most amount was group “Six Gals With a Goal” including Christine Mastalio, Rachel Goettsche, Jill Badrick, Jil Gates, Laura Arp, and Emily Meyer, who raised over 2,000 dollars. 

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