Student organization on campus raises awareness and helps out

Up 'til Dawn is a student organization at Southeast that helps raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The student organization is at more than 250 college campuses nationwide. Up 'til Dawn has been on Southeast's campus for six years now.

The organization hosts a letter sending party every fall, where students send a pre-written letter to friends and family asking them to donate money.

Emily Oliveira, the coordinator of disability services at Southeast, is the Up 'till Dawn advisor. Oliveira said that students who missed the fall event could still send the pre-written letters. The next fundraising even is from 4-8 p.m. on March 8 at Texas Roadhouse. Patrons can donate 10% of the cost of their meal by presenting a flyer, which they can get by liking SEMO Up 'til Dawn on Facebook.

Up 'til Dawn will host their finale event 6-10:30 p.m. April 12 at the Student Recreation Center-North. The finale event celebrates their total amount raised for St. Jude. Tune squad will play at the event and activities, prizes and food will be available.

"Throughout this school year, Up 'til Dawn has raised a total of $7,000 with all our fundraising," Oliveira said.

The organization is looking for nominees for its executive board for next semester.

"To become apart of the executive board is good for those students who want to be leaders," Oliveira said.

Applications are available in Oliveira's office at UC 302 and are due back April 16.

According to St. Jude website the hospital states that it offers free health care for children as well as transportation and housing for their families. If a family does have health insurance, St. Jude will collect a small portion of the insurance money. St. Jude spends about $1.3 million dollars each day to operate. St. Jude treats children with cancer, HIV, sickle cell anemia and other serious diseases. Up 'til Dawn helps create a way for St. Jude to operate free of charge to sick children.

"A lot of people don't know that St. Jude does not charge for its services," Oliveira said. "Its important for students to get involved so they can help raise awareness."