Students put pens and keyboards to work raising money during Up ‘til Dawn’s annual letter sending event.

Teams wrote to family and friends asking for donations and shared the event through social media.

Executive board member Courneishia James said that the event was important to Up ‘til Dawn due to it raising awareness within the student body.

“It helps get everyone involved. It gives them an opportunity to get involved with St. Jude and learn more about the organization,” said James, a junior toxicology major.

James said that she joined the organization not because she was personally affected by cancer but due to her desire to help wherever she could.

“I have a heart for this organization and giving back. This is a good way to give back on a national level where I can grow and network with people that share the same goal,” James said.

James said that she expected more people but was happy to share the night with those that attended.

“There were a lot of good people who care about the organization,” James said.

Shelbi Penny, a sophomore mathematics major, joined a team after wanting to participate last year. Penny gathered a team and hopes to make a difference.

“St. Jude is something truly amazing. It costs millions of dollars a day to run and just giving a small part of that back is something amazing,” Penny said.

According to Penny, the average amount raised during the letter sending event averages at $12,000.

Drake Graves, a member of the Kappa Alpha team, said that his fraternity decided to participate as another way to give back.

“It was one more selfless thing that we could do to show the community that Kappa Alpha cares,” said Graves, a freshman nursing major.

Graves, a team captain, said that he saw it as an opportunity to give sick children a chance.

“We can show that we as a community care and support them. It’s a great way to get others to support such a wonderful cause,” Graves said.

Up ‘til Dawn fundraising will continue through the end of the semester. To form a team, students can contact any member of the Up ‘til Dawn executive board.