The students of Fredonia for St. Jude were recognized by the Fredonia Mayor Stephen Keefe in 2014 for helping to clean up the community after an active May weekend, and this year they continued the tradition, and expect to profit about $300 from returned bottles/cans to be sent to the children of St Jude.
The proud Fredonia students began the clean up early May 3 and included Ali Malcolm, Sydnee Worth, Catherine Edwards, Hannah Bodnar, Emily Cole, Caitlin Beckinghausen, Kyle Vertin, Cheyanne France, Amanda Acebedo, Jeannie Galbraith and Brad Zola.
Fredonia for St. Jude raises money for the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The students in this group raise money throughout the year at the annual “Up til Dawn” event held in the fall semester, and “Rock Out for Cancer” in the spring semester. Additionally, the students have made proactive efforts to expand their fundraising efforts to more than just St. Jude's. Two weeks ago, they partnered with the Fredonia Baseball team to host, "Hit for Hope," to raise money for a local child, Cassidy Monroe. With strong support, fundraising, and a true team effort, the Fredonia Baseball team and Fredonia for St. Jude students raised over $500 for Cassidy, and approximately $200 to be sent to St. Jude.
Additionally, Fredonia for St. Jude students give back through participation in other cancer awareness events like blood drives with the American Red Cross, donation baskets for Operation Smile and the Social Work Club, and Relay for Life. "Create your own" puzzles were created and sent to the children at the hospital to be used as a part of a Mother's Day project/gift at St. Jude. Overall, the group raised over $7,000 to be sent on behalf of Fredonia students from the 2014-2015 academic year to the children of St. Jude.
Adviser Jennifer Wilkins noted, “I am truly honored to advise, and lead such a motivated group of students in their mission to do more. The goals of the hospital remain consistent and the ways in which they elicit community members and college students support is strong with their belief that, “No child should die in the dawn of life.” Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, the hospital has a daily operating cost of $2 million, which is primarily covered by individual contributions.
With continued hope and inspiration, Fredonia e-board President Ali Malcolm and Treasurer Sydney Worth have been selected to participate in St. Jude's annual Collegiate Leadership Seminar in July. While there Ali and Sydney will participate in group leadership with 400-plus university students from across the country, meet with patients, and tour the hospital, bringing back a renewed sense of commitment and drive to fundraise prior to and during the fall 2015 "Up til Dawn" event slated for Saturday, Dec. 5.
