What Happens Here Matters
Up Til' Dawn Leadership Seminar
This summer two Manhattanville College students, Danielle Lombardi and Allison Mottola, participated in the 2007 St. Jude Collegiate Leadership Seminar in Memphis Tennessee. The seminar is sponsored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which specializes in children’s cancer treatment and research. Craig Donnely Jr., Community Service Coordinator for the Duchesne Center, organized the trip and also attended the event.
“The theme of the 2007 St. Jude Collegiate Leadership Seminar was ‘Challenge Your Campus. Change the World,’ said Danielle. “Over the course of the weekend, we were encouraged to network with other students from colleges throughout the United States. We learned how to effectively lead fundraising efforts on campus through various educational sessions and peer-to-peer groups."
The seminar was in support of the “Up ‘til Dawn” organizations that many colleges and universities, including Manhattanville, have on campus. St. Jude’s website describes Up ‘til Dawn as: "A student-led, student-run program hosted by colleges and universities across the country. The program unites faculty, staff, students, the surrounding community and sponsors in supporting the hospital. Students hold fund-raising events throughout the year to raise the money they have pledged, while also educating the community about St. Jude Hospital. At the end of the program, each campus hosts a grand finale event where students take part in activities that keep them 'Up ‘til Dawn,' celebrating their achievements and honoring the patients at St. Jude.”
At Manhattanville the St. Jude Children's Hospital Up ‘til Dawn program is a service-learning program under the direction of the Duchesne Center in conjunction with the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society.
From July 12th to the 15th, Danielle, Allison and Craig attended workshops and educational sessions with 650 other attendees from colleges around the country. They learned skills such as team recruitment, awareness and publicity, executive board management and finale event planning. They also toured the hospital and met some of the patients.
“Last year we raised $13,000 for St Jude Children's Hospital,” said Craig. This year we will use the lessons learned at the seminar to raise even more money. My goal for 07-08 is to raise $20,000. The main fundraising event will be the Up ‘til Dawn Letter Sending party where students, staff and the community will form teams of six and collect fifty names and addresses each to send to their families and friends."
The Up ‘til Dawn Letter Sending Party will take place on Thursday October 25th, 2007 from 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. There will be games, prizes, music and more. In addition, Manhattanville also hosts three events during the Fall Semester to raise money for St. Jude. This year the events will be a car wash, bake sale, and raffle.
“St. Jude's is truly an international organization,” said Allison. Its influence can be felt in every community of America, and every corner of the world. Fund raising is extremely important because the hospital never turns someone away because they or their family are uninsured or cannot afford treatment. When you consider that it costs the hospital approximately $1.2 million each day to remain in operation, the importance of programs like Up ‘til Dawn cannot be underestimated."