With just over two weeks remaining until this year’s St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn event, UTD Awareness Week will kick off Monday night to get students excited about fundraising for the event in February.
UTD helps college students across the country raise money and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which specializes in treating and researching cures for childhood cancer.
Last year, Belmont’s participants raised over $110,000. This year, Belmont’s UTD chapter has already raised over $84,000 — more than 70 percent of its $120,000 goal.
“The heart of the Belmont students is so amazing for St. Jude, and I have no doubt we will blow our goal out of the water,” said Belmont UTD Executive Director Joe LaMartina.
Awareness Week is full of events which are designed to help students kickstart their fundraising efforts and reward those who have already started.
“It is an awesome time,” said LaMartina. “We get to encourage and reward people who are starting to do their fundraising, and it is usually the time we get to see a huge growth in amount of money we are raising for St. Jude.”
Here is a rundown of this week’s events:
Monday: Zumba. In partnership with the student organization CHAARG, Monday night’s Zumba event will kick off Awareness Week with prizes and great exercise. To get into Zumba you must register for the event. For those who haven’t registered yet, there will be computers to register at the door. 7 p.m. at Sports Science Center.
Tuesday: Zero to Hero challenge. If you tend to be a procrastinator, Tuesday’s Zero to Hero challenge might be right up your alley. If you successfully raise your first $100 on Tuesday, you will be entered for a chance to win a Burger Up gift card.
Wednesday: Coffee and Complete your team. If you have questions or still need to fill a few spots on your team, stop by this event for free coffee and the chance to win a Pancake Pantry gift card. All teams that are completed by the end of the day will be entered. 9 to 11 a.m. in Massey Business Center lobby.
Thursday: Belmont basketball doubleheader. Belmont’s UTD chapter will be student organization of the game for Thursday night’s basketball doubleheader against Eastern Illinois. Come cheer on the Bruins and stop by the UTD table to be entered to win a Smoothie King gift card. Belmont Athletics will also donate a portion of ticket sales when you use the promo code “STJUDE!” during checkout. 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Curb Event Center.
Friday: Fundraising Friday. Everyone who sends out five UTD fundraising emails on Friday will be entered to win a gift card to Hopdoddy Burger Bar, a burger chain that opened in Hillsboro Village this fall.
Up ‘til Dawn takes place Feb. 9. To donate or register for the event,click here.
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This article written by Ally Lewber.