Boston University Students for Camp Heartland raised more than $1,000 last night in a talent show benefiting a small camp in Minnesota for children affected by HIV/AIDS, sprinkling somber and energetic moments throughout the performances.

“Big Hearts, Big Talent” featured performances by student groups in front of an audience of 150, raising enough money to send children to the week-long camp, according to Students for Camp Heartland Treasurer Lauren DeGeorge.

“It’s important for kids to be kids,” the College of Communication junior said. “It’s the biggest part of their lives to them.”

According to camp counselor Katie Costello, who spoke during the event, children do not pay to attend the camp, which counts BU as its largest benefactor.

The event included performances by sketch-comedy troupe Slow Kids at Play, slam poetry group Speak for Yourself and a cappella groups Chordially Yours and the Dear Abbeys. Students for Camp Heartland members read poetry by campers and told their personal stories during the breaks.

In an effort to increase attendance, various student groups were invited, DeGeorge said. The group also posted advertisements, but mostly spread the message through friends.

“We had a bunch of different groups to draw different people,” Students for Camp Heartland Vice President Meg Langley, a College of Arts and Sciences junior, said.

Heartland member Jay Pinto shared a story about a child who refused to take his medications until counselors and other campers held his hand and supported him.

“It’s part of the magic of Camp Heartland,” the CAS sophomore said. “A burden shared can be a burden removed.”

Students reacted most strongly to Speak for Yourself, the only group to receive a standing ovation. The group composed a poem especially for the event.

“I couldn’t tell if they were talking about kids that were real or kids they made up for the poem,” COM junior Matthew Seidner said. “But I didn’t care because it was such a powerful performance.”

College of Arts and Sciences freshman Owen Schmitt noted the emotional aspects of the performances.

“[Speak for Yourself] did an incredible job with the poetry,” he said. “[The event provided] a very personal approach to things, especially with the poetry.”

College of Engineering sophomore Emily Chadwick said she was happy to attend the event and donate to Camp Heartland.

“That was intense,” Chadwick said. “I got a little teared up.”

“It’s a good cause,” she continued. “Especially to help kids with an illness to make their life happier and better.”

Students for Camp Heartland member Amy Greenberg said she also enjoyed Chordially Yours, an all-female a cappella group

“A lot of times you raise money to find a cure,” the School of Education sophomore said. “But sometimes we forget about the lives of each child affected.”