Western Kentucky University students are doing their part to help the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

On WKU's campus, the kick-off of a letter writing campaign began for students planning to help out with an upcoming "Up 'til Dawn" event.

Students sent out letters on Oct. 17 to friends, family members and organizations, asking for donations for St. Jude.

"Last year with our letter writing campaign, we sent out over 20,000 letters and raised over $106,000 for the hospital, which put us ranking 3rd in the nation out of over 200 universities that participate," explained WKU student Kathleen Hennessey.

The letter writing event will continue until 10 p.m. on Oct. 17 and from noon to 8 p.m. on Oct. 18 at Red Zone on WKU's campus and will include patient speakers.

As for WKU's "Up 'til Dawn" event, it will be held on Feb. 15.

The purpose of the event is to stay "up all night," just as parents do at St. Jude with their children.