Editor's note: A previous version of this story misspelled Maya Birton's last name, the story has been updated with the correct spelling.

After standing in long lines on Monday, March 22, in the University Center students were able to build their very own stuffed animal thanks to the Cuddle Friends event hosted by the Students Activities Council (SAC).

SAC hosted the Cuddle Friends event in both the University Center and River Campus as part of their Spring Fling, this is a series of events that are presented to SEMO students over two weeks.

Cuddle friends has been an annual event at Southeast for the past 15 years, normally having one of the biggest turnouts of SAC events, according to senior social media coordinator Maya Birton.

“We host these events with students’ paid money from their tuition. Come out — don't waste your dollars,” Birton said.

Before the event, SAC posted a poll on their social media to narrow down which animals they would have available to stuff at the event. The animals they chose were giraffes, sloths, elephants, turtles, alpacas, lambs, huskies and octopi.

Tyrell Gilwater, a freshman SAC treasurer, said when he checked before the event, there were 138 students registered online, and he thought many more would show up to the event.

“I feel like SAC has been trying to involve students with free events for everybody involving fun things like stuffed animals. Just trying to get people out of their dorms and have fun with no cost to you,” Gilwater said.

Senior Ayusha Withand said she registered online a month ago. She also did the poll SAC posted and was hoping to take home a stuffed husky if any were left.

“I want something colorful, very cute,” Withand said.

Junior Caitlin Helterbrand said after attending the event last year and making a dinosaur, she made sure she was at this event again. This year, she made an alpaca.

“I set an alarm and woke up just for this,” Helterbrand said.

The cuddle friends event was the second Spring Fling event SAC is hosting from March 18 to 27.

To find more information about SAC and their Spring Fling, go to their Facebook, Instagram (@semosac) or Snapchat (semosac).