By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – More than 300 University of Nebraska at Kearney students will stay up until they see the sunrise during the St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn event Feb. 19.
“Students are staying up to support and honor families with kids with cancer and other illnesses,” said Laura Matthies, assistant director of student activities/student events. “It’s important for students to commit and put forth effort into something other than academia and social life.”
St. Jude Up ’til Dawn is a nationwide student-led philanthropic program in which college students raise funds for and awareness of St. Jude. Students participate in a year of fundraising that culminates with the Up ’til Dawn all-night challenge.
Because of donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food.
UNK students formed teams of six with a goal of raising $600 per team before the Up ‘til Dawn event. Fifty teams have signed up for the event. UNK hopes to raise $50,000.
Students will check in to Up ‘til Dawn at 11:30 p.m. and stay until 5 a.m.
Every team commits to “staying up for good” and sacrifices a night of sleep to complete a series of challenges in honor of families that have children with life-threatening illnesses.
Some of the challenges include a relay race and making prom dresses out of duct tape. The event will also feature a DJ, photo booth and dance.
A late night meal featuring “kid food” such as chicken nuggets will be served. Red Bull and coffee will also be served throughout the night.
Students who raise the most funds will be eligible to win gift cards, an iPad, Beats by Dre and a Keurig coffee brewing system.
“It’s a night of entertainment that is empowering 300 students to raise money for and spread the message of St. Jude,” Matthies said.
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Source: Laura Matthies, 308.865.8398, matthiesla@unk.edu
Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu
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