Spring Break
Greek's raise $30,500 for cancer research
Betsy Cohen
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News
12/09/08 - This fall, University of Rhode Island sororities and fraternities joined forces to raise money for the fourth annual Up 'Til Dawn fundraiser.
The program collects donations from friends and family members of the URI Greek community to raise money for St. Judes Children's Research Hospital.
Charlsey Gentile, the executive director of Up 'Til Dawn and the president of the sorority ZETA, organized the letter-sending event. A URI senior majoring in human development and family studies, Gentile was first inspired to get involved with the Up 'Til Dawn program by Kaitlyn Lambert, a co-worker of hers in the peer advocate program and the previous executive director.
"The money is still coming in," Gentile said. "The last update I received we had raised a little over $30,500."
From 6 - 11 p.m. on Oct. 23, approximately 850 URI students gathered in the Memorial Union Ballroom to participate.
"Most of the entire Greek community was involved and showed a great amount of support," Gentile said.
Each student was encouraged to bring 50 or more addresses to the Ballroom. They were then given pre-written letters and blank envelopes to put together.
The URI Panhellenic Council provided food and beverages at the evening event. Local radio station, Coast FM, performed at the event. Gift certificates from Cucina Twist, Albies, Universal Nails, CVS, International Steak House and Games Less Ordinary were available for purchase. To further inspire students to participate, the student who sent out the most letters was awarded an iPod and the first spot in the annual URI housing lottery.
"The letters give information about St. Judes Children's Research Hospital to inform and create awareness about the hospital, as well as ask for a monetary donation," Gentile said. Students learned of "all of the wonderful things [St. Jude Children's Hospital] does for children with terminal illnesses," Gentile said. The students were able to "all come together and work toward a cure in a very simple way...I think it helped build community on campus and work toward a great goal," she said.
The program collects donations from friends and family members of the URI Greek community to raise money for St. Judes Children's Research Hospital.
Charlsey Gentile, the executive director of Up 'Til Dawn and the president of the sorority ZETA, organized the letter-sending event. A URI senior majoring in human development and family studies, Gentile was first inspired to get involved with the Up 'Til Dawn program by Kaitlyn Lambert, a co-worker of hers in the peer advocate program and the previous executive director.
"The money is still coming in," Gentile said. "The last update I received we had raised a little over $30,500."
From 6 - 11 p.m. on Oct. 23, approximately 850 URI students gathered in the Memorial Union Ballroom to participate.
"Most of the entire Greek community was involved and showed a great amount of support," Gentile said.
Each student was encouraged to bring 50 or more addresses to the Ballroom. They were then given pre-written letters and blank envelopes to put together.
The URI Panhellenic Council provided food and beverages at the evening event. Local radio station, Coast FM, performed at the event. Gift certificates from Cucina Twist, Albies, Universal Nails, CVS, International Steak House and Games Less Ordinary were available for purchase. To further inspire students to participate, the student who sent out the most letters was awarded an iPod and the first spot in the annual URI housing lottery.
"The letters give information about St. Judes Children's Research Hospital to inform and create awareness about the hospital, as well as ask for a monetary donation," Gentile said. Students learned of "all of the wonderful things [St. Jude Children's Hospital] does for children with terminal illnesses," Gentile said. The students were able to "all come together and work toward a cure in a very simple way...I think it helped build community on campus and work toward a great goal," she said.
