2008 Woodie Awards
Seventh annual Jagathon to be held in the Campus Center
Virdi Auger-Velez
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: College News
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Then check out the IUPUI Jagathon, a 12-hour event organized by students to raise money for Riley Hospital for Children. This year, the event will be held Feb. 22 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the Campus Center.
At Jagathon, participants have the opportunity to meet other students, play games for prizes, and listen to live local bands and stories from families with children who have been or are patients at Riley Hospital.
Una Dragic, internal relations chair for the Jagathon Council, has helped plan the event for three consecutive years.
"[Jagathon is] an all night party with a purpose," Dragic says. "[It's] a way for us to have a great time and show our support for the kids at Riley."
One of the co-chairs for the Family Relations Committee, Brandy Cline, says Jagathon is a party that is worth going to.
"You don't have to feel guilty about going and putting off homework that you need to get done, because you're partying for a cause," Cline says.
Originally called Dance Marathon, council members changed its name last year to clear up a common misconception.
Andrea Kernodle, who serves as a co-chair on the Morale Committee, explains the myth.
"The most common myth [about Jagathon] is that you have to dance," Kernodle says. "We teach a line dance, it's pretty goofy, and while you don't have to do it, we find that most people do anyway."
A main point of Jagathon is to collect donations for Riley Hospital. Each participant is asked to raise $15 individually and $85 from friends, family, peers or co-workers. The Hospital runs solely on donations, and with its policy of never refusing care to a child, there is plenty of need for people's generosity. The Jagathon has risen as much as $12,000 in past years.
Jacob Oakman, advisor to the IUPUI Student Foundation and Jagathon Council, has watched students participate and plan Jagathon for several years.
"Our participants know that everything they do leading up to and including the night of Jagathon will benefit the kids at Riley Hospital," Oakman says. "They get to interact at the event with the very children they are working hard to help."
Le Hong, external chair for the Jagathon Council, describes one of the more sentimental moments of Jagathon.
"Sometimes we take for granted the good things in life and hearing the stories of the Riley families can touch a lot of us," Hong says.
Many of the participants describe a sense of gratification or satisfaction from participating in the event.
"It's hard to really explain the emotions and enthusiasm that surround Jagathon, and there is nothing more satisfying than knowing you've stood up for those who can't," Dragic says.
Jagathon is also a great way to earn community service hours. Many majors, departments and scholarships require volunteer hours and participation in campus events. At Jagathon, students can do both.
"Participation in the Jagathon can count towards any service hours a student may need as a requirement for class or membership in an organization," Oakman says.
IUPUI Student Foundation, an organization dedicated to philanthropic events, organized the Jagathon this year.
To participate, access the Student Foundation Web site at www.iupu.edu/~sf and click on the events tab to register.
Contact Virdi at vaugerve@iupui.edu.
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