231 STAY UP ’TIL DAWN JAN. 26-27; ORGANIZERS GOAL: $95,000

Release date: Jan. 23, 2007


Editorial contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-2919
Up ’til Dawn contacts: Jeanne Jodoin or Meagan Flippin, 615-904-8270




(MURFREESBORO) — Since May 2006, a committee and what may be a record 71 teams have been working hard to reach a goal to raise $95,000 in MTSU’s Up ’til Dawn’s effort to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Everybody’s been very encouraging and very excited. We’re very proud of the enthusiasm of all the team in raising the money,” said senior Meagan Flippin, an associate director of the 2007 student-led Up ’til Dawn, which will be held from 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, until 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Campus Recreation Center.
Committee members attended a training session at St. Jude in Memphis, said Flippin, who added, “Since then, we’ve hit the ground running.”
The Great Lick-A-Thon last fall generated $22,000 as of Dec. 20, Flippin said.
“Every team’s responsible for raising $600 minimum,” she said, adding that through bake sales and other methods, teams will raise more money.
The finale will feature a beachy, “Lifesaver” theme that will include games, live entertainment and free food for the teams and participants, who have been raising funds through many activities and educating the community about St. Jude, organizers said.
“You can be a life saver for St. Jude,” Flippin said of the theme, then added that several groups — fraternities and sororities — will perform step shows and a band, Groove Addiction, will play.
During the finale, participants will have an opportunity to hear the stories of St. Jude and meet the children and families the teams and committee members have worked so hard to help, organizers said.
MTSU’s Up ’til Dawn organization is one of more than 135 college and university groups nationwide working to raise funds for St. Jude.
The student executive director is senior Jeanne Jodoin. Associate directors are Flippin and senior Sheila Umayam. Jackie Victory serves as adviser.
The public can attend from 7 p.m. until midnight for $5 per person, Flippin said.
For more information, call the Up ’til Dawn office at 615-904-8270.
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