Up 'til Dawn doubles donations goal

Correspondent

Eastern New Mexico University’s Up ‘til Dawn event, which raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, surpassed goal after goal this year, according to Up ‘til Dawn’s Director of Public Relations Tim Harris.

Correspondent photo: Rae Arnett

Participants in ENMU’s Up ‘til Dawn event line up for the paper plane

flying

event on Friday evening. Up ‘til Dawn raised $40,572 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

“This was a more successful event than in previous years; it just grew exponentially. Last year, the goal was $15,000, and the year before that, was $10,000. We started off with a goal of $20,000. Our final total after last night was $40,572,” said Harris Saturday after the all night fundraising event.

However, the students will still be able to donate until the end of April, according to Harris, who attributed the success of the Up ‘til Dawn event to the longevity of the event as well as the executive board.

“The board reached out to groups that might not have participated in the past and did a great job of getting local businesses involved. Outreach was the key to success,” said Harris.

Harris, a sophomore at ENMU, said he participated in Up ‘til Dawn because St. Jude’s offers support to children and their families and also because of how passionate Draco Miller and Carla Anaya were last year.

“Edward Rios had the same passionate outlook this year,” said Harris.

Tyler Herring, a junior at ENMU and member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, said fraternity members raised over $200 for the event this year.

“A big part of Kappa Sig is that we try to be as supportive on campus as possible,” said Herring.

Up ‘til Dawn also holds a special place in Herring’s heart.

“I participate mostly for the children, but it also holds a special place in my heart because my sister had leukemia,” said Herring.

Linda Ramos, a senior at ENMU and a member of Chi Omega and the Spanish Club, participated in her third Up ‘til Dawn event Friday night.

“I enjoy it because we like to offer support to St Jude’s,” said Ramos.

Ramos, who attended Up ‘til Dawn as a member of the Spanish Club, said this was the first time the Spanish Club has participated in the event.

“We have two teams here tonight, and we were able to raise $2,155,” said Ramos.

ENMU senior Ashley Nelson described Up ‘til Dawn as a celebration for the money raised as well as for St. Jude’s itself. Nelson, who attended Up ‘til Dawn for the fifth time this year, said everyone was there to help the children at St. Jude’s.

“To help children at St. Jude’s have a better life, that’s why we are all here, so that tomorrow a kid can wake up and be better,” said Nelson.