University of Memphis

up til dawn
- for release Nov. 9 contact:
David Blount
Up til Dawn Fundraising Director
901-205-7289

uptildawn@memphis.edu
memphis.edu/uptildawn, @UTDmemphis
229 University Center

Eighth Annual Auction to Find A Cure

Memphis, TN, Sept. 26, 2014 - The University of Memphis Up til Dawn
program is holding the
Tony Yeargin Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction on Nov.
19 to raise money for its beneficiary, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. The
eighth annual dinner and auction, held in the University Center Ballroom, is
expected to reach new heights this year with the help of American Lebanese Syrian
Associated Charities, ALSAC, St. Judes Dinner, Golf, and Galas Departments help.
The fundraising dinner, sponsored by Lost Pizza Company, will have items
such as Memphis Tiger basketball tickets, Grizzlies box seats, a night at the Peabody
hotel, Orpheum tickets, an iPad, and more available for auction. In 2013, the event
raised over $15,000, but Lee Bobo, a representative from St. Jude, expects the
revenue to double this year.
The event is held in honor of the late Tony Yeargin, a lifetime supporter of the
Up til Dawn program. While his daughter served on the executive board, Yeargin
was said to bring spirit to the auction by always bidding first and bidding high.
He would bring spirit to the dinner; something we hope always remains, his
daughter, Laurie, says. Yeargin lost his own fight to cancer in 2010, and the dinner
will forever be held in his memory.

Developed by the Youth Development Department at ALSAC St. Jude, St. Jude Up til Dawn was founded
on the University of Memphis campus 16 years ago. Today, the program has spread to over 50 colleges and
universities nationally, but St. Jude still depends on the strength of the organization at the University of
Memphis to model the way. Through events like the fundraising dinner and silent auction, Up til Dawn works all
year to find a cure for childhood cancer. Last year, Up til Dawn raised over $143,000, and this year the goal
is set for $205,000.
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