Up 'til Dawn launched the fundraising season with its annual kick-off party last night at Club Atlas inside Jillian's Downtown.
Jillian's donated the use of the club to The University of Memphis Up 'til Dawn program. All proceeds went to funding the program.
"We've had the party around campus, but wanted to change it up a bit and find a place downtown," said Up 'til Dawn Director Amy Jackson, a senior journalism major. "When we asked, Jillian's just hopped on board with us."
Club Atlas was still open to the public during the party and after the kick-off party ended, attendees were able to stay to enjoy the club.
The University of Memphis started Up 'til Dawn in 1998 and since then more colleges have formed similar programs. Since its start six years ago, Up 'til Dawn has raised more than $5 million with national participation. The money raised helps pay for daily operating expenses of the hospital and the various research projects it does.
The University of Memphis alone raised $103,000 last year, according to Michelle Edwards senior psychology major and executive with The University's Up 'til Dawn chapter.
"Several schools last year raised over $100,000," Edwards said. "The number one school was Kansas State University. They raised over $148,500."
People formed teams and raised money all year until the final event in the spring when teams stayed up all night long. Up 'til Dawn had about 80 six-person teams last year, according to Edwards.
The teams worked to raise at least $750 by the February deadline by sending letters at the Lick 'em Stick 'em program and by doing various other fundraisers.
"For every 50 letters that go out, about $300 goes to the hospital," Jackson said.
Up 'til Dawn scheduled a rummage sale for Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sinard & Company leasing company supplied the use of the vacant store next to CiCi's Pizza in the Poplar Plaza shopping center.
Last year the rummage sale raised more than $1,200, said Cassie Qualls, a junior journalism major in charge of the event.
"Most people think it is hard to raise the money, but you just have to work at it," Jackson said. "I have a friend who has already raised over $1,000.
"Since I have been involved, only one team didn't raise the money and they just didn't try," she said.
Jackson said Up 'til Dawn assigns morale captains to groups to help make sure they get the money.
People from any organization can form a group and participate in Up 'til Dawn.
Teams participate from groups on campus or just groups of friends who want to do it can sign up, Jackson said.
The deadline to sign up this year is Nov 8. Participants must pay a $75 entry fee and complete an entry form listing a team captain and five additional members.
Students have several incentives to join teams.Melanie George, senior public relations major, has been an Up 'til Dawn moral captain for three years.
"I'm the oldest morale captain in Up 'til Dawn," she said proudly. "My grandma died of breast cancer and every year I do it to honor and remember her."
