MEDIA ADVISORY October 26, 2001 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE STUDENTS TO PAINT HOUSE NEAR CAMPUS AS PART OF SATURDAY'S 'MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY' Approximately 100 Drake University students and nine staff members will paint the house and garage of an elderly couple living near the campus on national "Make a Difference Day" Saturday, Oct. 27. The painting, sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and the Drake softball team, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1123 26th St. – the home of Lou and Lucy Mace, longtime residents of the Drake neighborhood. Their house, built around 1900, hasn't been painted in at least 11 years. Sodexho Facility Services at Drake is donating white paint for the project and local painting contractor Ken Agee is contributing labor, materials and equipment. Free food for participating students and staff will be provided by McDonald's, Kum & Go and the West End lounge. The Drake Area Business Association also is supporting the project. Larry Molenburg, Drake's real estate manager and the University's representative on the Beautify Des Moines Committee, is coordinating the effort. "This is the first time Drake has participated in 'Make a Difference Day,'" Molenburg said. "It's a great way to get students involved in community service and to show that the University is pitching in to improve the neighborhood." "Make a Difference Day" started 10 years ago as a project of USA WEEKEND magazine. This year, more than 2.6 million people are expected to spend the day helping someone in need.