The Spring Storm is expected to be the biggest community service event in the history of UNM and will sweep through Albuquerque April 6.
The last day to sign up for the project is March 27.
The Spring Storm is a student-organized, one-day community event that will put UNM volunteers at different areas throughout the city to participate in projects such as painting fences, building bookshelves, picking up trash, visiting senior citizens and taking at-risk youth on nature hikes.
Dathan Weems, organizer and executive director of Spring Storm, said his group's goal is to sign up more than 1,500 volunteers to donate a day to the project.
"Gandhi summed it up best when he said, 'We must be the change we wish to see in the world,'" he said. "This is a chance for the community to come together and show that we care about our city, and have fun in the process."
Weems said about 200 people have signed up for the event but more are expected to participate as the event approaches.
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He said the organizing committee of the event decided on the title "Spring Storm" because it reminded them of how a rainstorm pours down on the land, taking away the dead vegetation, bringing new growth.
"If we would like to see the world improve, we have a responsibility to make it happen and get out and get the work done," Weems said.
He said that through company donations, tools and other supplies will be provided at the different sites.
"Everything needed to complete the task will be provided," he said. "Volunteers may want to bring a pair of gloves."
Participants will meet at University Stadium at 8:15 a.m. for a breakfast and their project assignments. Work begins at 10 a.m. and volunteers will work to complete their assigned duties by 4:30 p.m. They will return to University Stadium at about 5 p.m. for a barbecue and entertainment.
"We will be assigning volunteers to projects they may have not otherwise picked," Weems said. "The goal will be to get the chance to meet new people and do things they may have never done before."
He said representatives from Spring Storm will set up information tables with sign-up sheets next week at different areas across campus. He encouraged those interested to sign up on the Spring Storm Web site.
When volunteering, participants will be asked if they prefer non-labor or labor jobs. Weems said people can sign up in groups or individually. For more information about the community service project, call 265-8140 or visit springstorm.unm.edu.
