Students, faculty, staff and community members will have the opportunity to help save the lives of children with cancer at a letter-writing campaign hosted by Cal State Long Beach’s Up ‘Til Dawn.
The fourth annual event will first be held Thursday in the USU Ballrooms and will later move to the first floor of the University Student Union so people can play pool or go bowling during the all-night event, which is taking place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Attendees are not required to stay the entire time, but must pay $5 — donated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — to attend.
People who attend are asked to bring addresses of close friends and family, who will be sent pre-written letters.
CSULB is the first school in the state to host an all-night event, according to the website. The purpose of the event is to raise more money and awareness among the community.
Up ‘Til Dawn is a philanthropic program hosted by colleges throughout the country. This committee is a student-run organization that raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Up ‘Til Dawn was named for parents who wait by their children’s bedside until the sun rises.
“Patients never stop fighting for their lives. We never stop fighting for a cure,” said Hayley Crombie, from the organzation’s executive board.
The non-profit organization relies solely on donations in order to keep operations running.
“It costs over $1.2 billion each day just to keep the facility running and our doors open,” said Beatriz Barrigan, event marketing representative for St. Jude.
The event will provide music and entertainment for everyone. Musicians Karmina, Claris Daze and Repeater will perform, and there will be two disk jockeys as well. There will also be comedic performances by Rebecca and Will Addelman, along with free food, games and contests.
One to two prizes will be given out every hour. Some of the prizes include gift cards to various restaurants, a Starbucks gift basket, an iTouch, a LG Voyager cell phone, a fall 2009 parking permit and free tuition for one semester.
One must bring 20 addresses in order to obtain a free raffle ticket for the smaller prizes or a parking permit. Students must bring 40 addresses in order to get a raffle ticket for the medium prizes, such as the iTouch and the cell phone. A total of 75 addresses must be brought to the event in order to qualify for the free tuition raffle.
These prizes have been donated to the event.
About 150 people attended last year’s event, allowing the CSULB Up ‘Til Dawn chapter to raise $22,000.
“Since the organization was established in 2005, we have raised over $80,000 dollars,” said Courtney Day, the chapter’s president. “We hope to exceed the $100,000 mark this year despite the current economic crisis.”
Every penny raised is given to St. Jude’s hospital and its patients. CSULB can afford the event due to sponsorships from families local and businesses, along with a grant from Associated Students Inc.