2008 Woodie Awards
All night long
'Up 'til Dawn' finale to offer games, prizes
Doug Graham
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Front Page
It's not often that students are asked to stay up all night for a campus event. But Ashley Lopez, senior in communication and chief organizer of PSU's "Up 'til Dawn" charity event, says it's the least students can do.
"It's called 'Up 'til Dawn,' and that's because when you're a child with cancer, sometimes you don't go to sleep at night," Lopez said. "Sometimes you have to stay up all night long because you're sick or because of chemo. And if they can do it why can't we for one night?"
Lopez says the finale, to be held from 8:15 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 28 and 29, in the Weede gymnasium, will serve as a celebration of what PSU students, faculty and community members accomplished during the Up 'til 'Dawn letter-writing campaign held last semester.
The fund-raiser aimed to collect donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., a hospital that offers free health care to children with severe illnesses. The amount raised by PSU will be revealed at Thursday night's finale.
While those who wrote letters in last October's campaign will be allowed in to the finale for free, Lopez says that everyone is welcome to come, although a small donation, perhaps $1, will be requested.
Lopez says the finale will be packed with things to do, including jousting mats, a bungee run, a rock climbing wall, a dodgeball tournament, an obstacle course, bingo and Texas Hold 'Em poker.
In addition, singer Chase Robinson and rock band Cooper's Wish List will perform, along with comedian Ross Herman.
"All of this stuff is basically going on all night long to keep people occupied so they forget what time it is."
But perhaps most importantly, a little girl who is a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will come to speak with her mother to tell their story.
At the end of the evening, awards will be handed out to groups who met various goals.
"Basically, the concept is that you worked hard to raise money, and now it's just a way of celebrating the hospital, the children, the funds that we've raised," Lopez said.
"It's called 'Up 'til Dawn,' and that's because when you're a child with cancer, sometimes you don't go to sleep at night," Lopez said. "Sometimes you have to stay up all night long because you're sick or because of chemo. And if they can do it why can't we for one night?"
Lopez says the finale, to be held from 8:15 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 28 and 29, in the Weede gymnasium, will serve as a celebration of what PSU students, faculty and community members accomplished during the Up 'til 'Dawn letter-writing campaign held last semester.
The fund-raiser aimed to collect donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., a hospital that offers free health care to children with severe illnesses. The amount raised by PSU will be revealed at Thursday night's finale.
While those who wrote letters in last October's campaign will be allowed in to the finale for free, Lopez says that everyone is welcome to come, although a small donation, perhaps $1, will be requested.
Lopez says the finale will be packed with things to do, including jousting mats, a bungee run, a rock climbing wall, a dodgeball tournament, an obstacle course, bingo and Texas Hold 'Em poker.
In addition, singer Chase Robinson and rock band Cooper's Wish List will perform, along with comedian Ross Herman.
"All of this stuff is basically going on all night long to keep people occupied so they forget what time it is."
But perhaps most importantly, a little girl who is a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will come to speak with her mother to tell their story.
At the end of the evening, awards will be handed out to groups who met various goals.
"Basically, the concept is that you worked hard to raise money, and now it's just a way of celebrating the hospital, the children, the funds that we've raised," Lopez said.
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