FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2005

CONTACT: Teva Dawson, Des Moines Community Garden Program, (515) 208-0308,
Darcie Vandegrift, (515) 271-2840, darcie.vandegrift@drake.edu

DRAKE STUDENTS TO PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE DURING RELAYS

For most Drake University students, the Drake Relays are a time of celebration and ceremony – the last spring gasp of fun before the long march to finals.

But for 10 volunteers, the time will be spent digging in the dirt with shovels and seedlings in hand. The students will celebrate Arbor Day by planting edible perennials and fruit trees from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 29, at King Elementary School, 1849 Forest Ave.

The Drake students decided to participate in the planting project as part of their Globalization and Development course taught by Darcie Vandegrift, assistant professor of sociology.

The Des Moines Community Garden Program, directed by Drake graduate Teva Dawson, and Practical Farmers of Iowa, sponsored the project. Dawson said the entire campus surrounding King Elementary will be enhanced by the planting of trees, berry patches and perennials.

"Although the students will get extra credit for their community service, I'm impressed that they committed to this project on a day that it would have been easier to just kick back," Vandegrift said.

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