The group used social media to reach out to possible donors. Their persistence led to the team competing in the national “Up ‘til Dawn” Executive Board Fundraising Challenge.
The team ultimately placed second in the nation behind Louisiana State University with over $8,500 raised. 鶹ý’s UTD jumped eight spots in the standings in less than 30 days.
Laura Knotts, director of Student Life and Leadership and 鶹ý’s UTD adviser said, “We are so incredibly proud to come in second in the nation, especially when you consider the fact that we beat out universities with over 50 thousand students. We are so excited that the top two finishers were Louisiana schools.”
鶹ý’s UTD group also won an extra award for collecting over $5,300 in donations in seven days—a $500 gift card to Target to use toward event supplies.
The top two schools received funding and travel for all of their board members and staff advisers to attend the annual St. Jude Collegiate Leadership Seminar in Memphis—a three-day workshop which provides students with fundraising skills and new ideas to guide them toward a successful fundraising event for St. Jude.
Knotts said, “The chance for the entire board to go to conference was invaluable. The students got the opportunity to learn about St. Jude, learn fundraising tactics, and they developed their individual passions for the organization. As the conference was ending, they all said they wished school would start so they could hurry up and get to work.”
鶹ý UTD board members for the 2014-2015 school year are, Madison Harlow of Lake Charles; Katee Fairchild of Epps; Hannah Mosher of West Monroe; Courneisha James of St. Martinville; Karly Hubbard of Winnfield; Bryson Belaire of Basile; Ashley Lyons of Shreveport; and Ashton Mason of Natchez, Miss.
“Up ‘til Dawn” serves as the university’s fundraising group for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for pediatric cancer treatment. The group puts on several annual events to raise money including letter sending, Trunk or Treat, Captured for a Cure, and a themed 5k.
For more information about 鶹ý’s Up’ til Dawn fundraising, visit