Thursday, March 22, 2001

Wilmington -- The Sophomore Class of 2003, led by President Crisp McDonald and Representative Kristin Packard, has created a sophomore class project called the Trash-a-Thon. This project involves members of the sophomore class picking up trash in areas of downtown and Masonboro Island on Saturday, March 31, the weekend before the Azalea Festival. Local businesses are being asked to donate money in support of the students’ cleanup efforts. A check will be presented to officials of Lower Cape Fear Hospice at 10:15 a.m., March 31, at the UNCW Warwick Center lawn. Media are invited to cover this ceremony, which will occur before students leave to begin collecting trash.

Wilmington is well known for the Azalea Festival, which takes place downtown every spring. The Azalea Festival exemplifies Wilmington’s beauty and fun-loving spirit with a parade, circus, various musicians, and home and garden tours. This year’s festival will take place on April 5-8, 2001, and everyone would like for Wilmington to look its best. This opportunity to beautify and improve the atmosphere of Wilmington’s downtown area before the Azalea Festival is a wonderful goal for the sophomore class.

The sophomores of 2003 will be working with Azalea Pride, a group of volunteers that help to beautify Wilmington prior to the Azalea Festival. Not only will the sophomores revamp downtown, but they are also going to clean up Masonboro Island, a site often neglected by other efforts.

Hospice of Lower Cape Fear is a national organization dedicated to providing support and medical attention to terminally ill patients and their families, making the last part of their lives as comfortable as possible.

Hospice is a non-profit organization, and donations are always greatly appreciated by the organization. The sophomore class of 2003 looks forward to beautifying Wilmington and Masonboro Island and also presenting a donation to a wonderful and selfless organization such as Hospice.

CONTACT: Kristin Packard KLP7575@uncwil.edu

Crisp McDonald FCM1867@uncwil.edu