Spring Break
Students work 'Up 'Til Dawn' for sick children
Brendan Cournoyer
Issue date: 2/10/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
02/10/04 - Students and faculty from the University of Rhode Island are banding together to help children who are terminally ill. This semester they will be participating in the "Up 'til Dawn" program, an initiative that helps raise money for St. Jude's Hospital.
Located in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude's is one of the world's leading research and treatment centers for children suffering from cancer and other life threatening diseases.
Colleges and universities from all over the country sponsor the student-led program, and 2004 marks the first year URI will be on the list. The Panhellenic Council, an organization of over 20 women's sororities nationwide, is also sponsoring "Up 'til Dawn".
Senior Christina Mastrangelo, an executive director of the URI chapter, visited Memphis last June and witnessed firsthand the kind of work that goes on at St. Jude's.
"It is such an incredible place," she said. "The children are treated so well and have such a good time there."
Mastrangelo, along with eight other executive members, are excited to be bringing the program to Iingston.
"I feel it is a really good way for organizations to come together and bridge the gap in the community," she added.
The bulk of the fundraising involves a letter writing campaign by teams of six participants who compete to raise the most money. Teams are put together by organizations, such as fraternities or even dorms, but all people are encouraged to get together and contribute.
Each member compiles a list of 50 addresses, usually made up of family and friends, which are collected by the team's captain. Letters are sent out to each address asking people if they would like to donate money to the hospital.
In late April, all the participants will come together for a celebration of the work that has been done. Members of the community will also be invited to the all-night event, which will involve food, music and entertainment. All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude's Hospital.
Mastrangelo said the campaign has already raised over $6,000, as the average donation from each letter has been about $40. She hopes that URI can follow in the footsteps of participants from Villanova University in 2003 who, in their first year of involvement, raised over $150,000.
The cutoff date for registration is March 5, and with that in mind, Mastrangelo hopes that more people will get involved soon.
"We welcome any organizations, it is not just limited to Greeks," she said, adding that time donated to the program can also count toward community service.
Those interested in registering for "Up 'til Dawn" can contact Mastrangelo at Cmas8957@postoffice.uri.edu or visit the Panhellenic Council office in room 304 of the Memorial Union.
Located in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude's is one of the world's leading research and treatment centers for children suffering from cancer and other life threatening diseases.
Colleges and universities from all over the country sponsor the student-led program, and 2004 marks the first year URI will be on the list. The Panhellenic Council, an organization of over 20 women's sororities nationwide, is also sponsoring "Up 'til Dawn".
Senior Christina Mastrangelo, an executive director of the URI chapter, visited Memphis last June and witnessed firsthand the kind of work that goes on at St. Jude's.
"It is such an incredible place," she said. "The children are treated so well and have such a good time there."
Mastrangelo, along with eight other executive members, are excited to be bringing the program to Iingston.
"I feel it is a really good way for organizations to come together and bridge the gap in the community," she added.
The bulk of the fundraising involves a letter writing campaign by teams of six participants who compete to raise the most money. Teams are put together by organizations, such as fraternities or even dorms, but all people are encouraged to get together and contribute.
Each member compiles a list of 50 addresses, usually made up of family and friends, which are collected by the team's captain. Letters are sent out to each address asking people if they would like to donate money to the hospital.
In late April, all the participants will come together for a celebration of the work that has been done. Members of the community will also be invited to the all-night event, which will involve food, music and entertainment. All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude's Hospital.
Mastrangelo said the campaign has already raised over $6,000, as the average donation from each letter has been about $40. She hopes that URI can follow in the footsteps of participants from Villanova University in 2003 who, in their first year of involvement, raised over $150,000.
The cutoff date for registration is March 5, and with that in mind, Mastrangelo hopes that more people will get involved soon.
"We welcome any organizations, it is not just limited to Greeks," she said, adding that time donated to the program can also count toward community service.
Those interested in registering for "Up 'til Dawn" can contact Mastrangelo at Cmas8957@postoffice.uri.edu or visit the Panhellenic Council office in room 304 of the Memorial Union.
