For the tenth year in a row, Stripes for Hope is hosting their annual Letter Sending Party. They are once again teaming up with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in an effort to be a part of the fight to end childhood cancer.The event takes place on Tuesday, March 1st in both the Ballroom and Black and Gold Room in the Memorial Union. The event starts at 5 p.m. and will conclude at 9:30 p.m. Participants are able to register ahead of time in the CSI office, at the tables set up in the Memorial Union, or on the night of the event.
One aspect of St. Jude that makes it a particularly unique organization is that families never receive a bill for any of the care, treatment, or travel expenses that their children go through while at the hospital because St. Jude believes families should only have to worry about ensuring their children live a happy and meaningful life. In order to make certain that no family has to pay for these services, St. Jude needs the support of people all over the world.
Students are able to come and go as they please throughout the Letter Sending Party, and a wide range of activities will be taking place. From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. students are encouraged to contribute 50 addresses to family and friends asking for them to send donations to St. Jude. Participants who provide 50 or more addresses will be given a free t-shirt at the event. While addressing envelopes, students will have the opportunity to hear personal testimonies from families of children who received treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Damion Cooper, the event’s MC, will be leading participants in a number of different games that will allow students to win raffle tickets that they can put towards prizes. The prizes will be raffled off at 9:30 p.m. and students must be present in order to claim their prize.
This event has been extremely successful in the past, bringing in around $28,000 last year, and Stripes for Hope is confident that they can bring in even more money this time around. The Letter Sending Party had 150 participants last year, and already has 167 registered for this year.
Haydee Reyes, the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Community Relations for Stripes for Hope, feels that participants will benefit greatly from attending this event. “I want students to gain a sense of purpose while earning service hours.” Reyes hopes that this event will raise awareness about St. Jude, showcase the purpose of Stripes for Hope as an organization, and bring the tiger family together for this really great cause.