INDExtra

UL students SOUL searching

by Heather Miller

More than 200 incoming freshman student volunteers will help with six public school makeovers in Lafayette on Thursday.

The United Way of Acadiana is teaming up with UL Lafayette's orientation program for some SOUL searching.

The project is a partnership between UW and UL's SOUL Camp and will involve painting, landscaping and other hands-on projects at six Lafayette Parish schools Thursday afternoon. According to a release from UW, the more than 200 incoming freshmen will be on hand from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at AIM Academy, Plantation Elementary, Prairie Elementary, S.J. Montgomery Elementary, J. Wallace James Elementary and Woodvale Elementary.

According to UL's website, SOUL Camp, a division of the university's orientation program, "is designed to provide additional opportunities for new students to build relationships with incoming and upperclass students, engage in community service, learn about campus spirit & traditions, develop an appreciation for multiculturalism and diversity, and discover their personal leadership skills."

"This is a great way to connect incoming UL freshmen to the needs of the Lafayette community. United Way of Acadiana is delighted that this event is taking place at our local schools," Keler Williams, United Way of Acadiana director of volunteer mobilization, says in the release. "They are donating their time to help these schools in a tangible way."

For more information regarding these school makeover projects, call Keler Williams at 337-706-1234.