Students who have participated in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Up ‘Til Dawn event in the past may be surprised to find this year’s student volunteers campaign doesn’t just involve writing letters.
The campaign requires students to each gather 35 contacts to send pre-printed letters asking for donations to St. Jude.
Jennie Armstrong, mass communication senior and LSU Up ‘Til Dawn executive director, said in past years the organization held one letter-writing party for students to gather together and address envelopes.
She said this year students are being encouraged to organize teams to gather as many contacts and addresses as possible.
Armstrong said students who find 35 people to send letters to will receive a wristband that allows them access to a final party at Serranos on March 31 where they’ll stay up late to honor the sleepless nights families constantly experience at the hospital.
“There will be local bands and free food,” she said. “It’s basically a celebration of all St. Jude has done.”
Armstrong said she thinks events like Up ‘Til Dawn encourage people to think of cancer in a different way.
“We shouldn’t be sad because cancer exists,” Armstrong said. “We should be excited to find a cure.”
Gina Pentas, economics senior and LSU Up ‘Til Dawn assistant director, said she’s been involved with the program since her freshman year in college and is excited to see the
way this year’s letter-writing campaign is turning out.
Pentas said the executive board hopes to raise between $40,000 and $50,000 through the campaign.
She said they’d estimate the amount raised by counting the number of letters sent out.
“The letters bring in about $20 each, on average,” she said.
Pentas said finding 35 names may seem overwhelming to students, but most realize quickly that they’re not difficult to come up with for the cause.
“The point is to send it to someone you think has the means to donate,” she said. “Anything helps.”
Pentas said the money will go to support St. Jude in its efforts to provide help for anyone in need, regardless of how much money they have.
“It costs about $1.3 million per day to run the hospital,” she said.
Pentas said she thinks it’s important for students to get involved with organizations like Up ‘Til Dawn because it helps them realize their efforts matter.
“If everyone contributes just a little, they can make a big change,” she said.
Pentas said she also thinks the campaign will be popular with students because it won’t take much of their time — all they have to do is address envelopes.
She said the LSU Up ‘Til Dawn organization will hold three letter-writing parties in the Student Union on March 28, 29 and 30, but students are also encouraged to address letters on their own.
Armstrong said while teams are encouraged this year, students can still write letters on their own by registering by e-mail.