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"Up 'Til Dawn" fun, yet generous


Fraternities and Sororities Make "Up 'Til Dawn" fun, yet generous

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Oct. 27, 2008) - SUNY Plattsburgh's Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Student Association's Late Night will sponsor Up 'Til Dawn, a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

"It's a campus-wide party," said Kate Clear, leadership development coordinator for the Center of Fraternity and Sorority Life. According to Clear, it is a party that provides a way of giving back to the community. "I want everyone to know it's a fun event to get involved with," Clear said, and added that people can get something out of this type of service.

Students at the party will write letters to friends and family asking for donations. All money raised will go to the hospital.

Yet Up 'Til Dawn consists of more than just letter writing. On Nov. 15, there will be a series of activities, including a "Guitar Hero" tournament, sumo wrestling, handball, a hypnotist and miniature golf. There will also be a DJ, a variety of games, and food and refreshments for everyone.

"You have fun while also giving back," said Clear, who added that Up 'Til Dawn is also a great social event where students can meet new people.

In planning Up 'Til Dawn, the students are trying to promote awareness. Because of this, there have been many events associated with Up 'Til Dawn this semester. For instance, an event called Up 'Til Dawn on the Lawn was held on Sept. 3. A coin drive was also held on Sept. 20 where students took to the streets to collect money.

"We took three corners in Plattsburgh," said John Berkowitz, executive director for Up Til' Dawn and vice president of campus/community relations for the Inter-fraternity Council Executive Board. "Each passing car gave out a couple of dollars."

They were able to raise $1,650 during the street drive.

Fraternities and sororities also promote Up 'Til Dawn throughout the semester by sitting at tables set up in the Angell College Center and advertising their own organization as well as the event. They also hosted an event called the Duck Pond. Rubber ducks were sold for a dollar each and were set afloat on the pond next to Hawkins Hall on campus.

"We raised over a hundred dollars," Berkowitz said.

In addition, there have been two car washes, and there is even an awareness week Nov. 10 - 15 before the main Up 'Til Dawn event. Some of the activities that week will include a coin drive in the SUNY Plattsburgh residence halls and a showing of the movie "The Ultimate Gift."

Everything that leads up to Up 'Til Dawn is about raising awareness, according to Clear. But the fraternities and sororities also have a target to reach.

"We have a goal of raising a total of $35,000 this year," said Clear.

Last year, their aim was to raise $30,000, and they exceeded it by raising just over $34,000, said Berkowitz.

Other organizations at SUNY Platttsburgh that are helping to sponsor this event include College Auxiliary Services and the Plattsburgh Alumni Association.

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