Contact:	Dathan Weems, 265-8140 Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, 277-5915
April 3, 2002 UNM STUDENTS TAKE ALBUQUERQUE BY STORM APRIL 6 Hundreds will provide community service University of New Mexico students have spent more than a year organizing a major community service event called the "Spring Storm" that will take place Saturday, April 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. across Albuquerque. Volunteer students, staff, faculty, alumni, prospective students and their families will be assigned projects ranging from painting and landscaping to elderly visitation and youth education. Several hundred people are expected to work on 50 community projects, says UNM School of Law student Dathan Weems, event director and founder of the Community Experience, the chartered student group organizing the event. "There is sweeping interest among the University population to participate in community service," Weems says. "A large-scale, one-day event provides an opportunity to make an immediate impact." Organizers contacted non-profit agencies to get guidance in identifying beneficial projects. Criteria included the likelihood of completion in one day, impact, cost and need. The Spring Storm will begin with a "Rise and Shine Breakfast" at 8:30 a.m. and end with a "Celebration Barbeque" at 4 p.m. at the South Campus Athletic Facilities. Both events will have free food and entertainment and information booths for local non-profit agencies and Spring Storm sponsors. Visit the Spring Storm website to sign up as a volunteer or make a contribution, http://springstorm.unm.edu. ###

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981