Published: Oct. 13, 1999

Editors : Photo opportunity of CU MBA student volunteers painting at Casa de Esperanza, 1520 South Emery St., Longmont, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Casa de Esperanza is a low income housing project. To get there, take 119 to Longmont. Go right on Main Street, follow to Quebec and go left. Follow to South Emery and go right.

As midterms wind down, many University of Colorado at Boulder students are relishing the break. But for some, a Saturday filled with painting, weeding and cleaning will do just fine.

Volunteers with CU-BoulderÂ’s Graduate School of Business Association, or GSBA, will be spending Saturday, Oct. 23 celebrating "Make a Difference Day," a nationally organized day devoted to helping others.

The annual event, created by USA Weekend magazine nine years ago, takes place on the fourth Saturday of October and devotes the day to carrying out volunteer projects that help others.

"This is the second year the GSBA has participated in Make a Difference Day," said Andrew Wilson, vice president of the Community Enhancement committee of the GSBA. "The local community here in Boulder provides a great deal to us as graduate business students, and this is an opportunity for us to give something back."

Last year, CU-Boulder MBA instructors, students, alumni and administrators volunteered their services at locations throughout Boulder and surrounding areas. And they plan to do the same this year, according to Helen Finger an MBA student at CU-Boulder who is helping coordinate the workday.

This year, volunteers will be working with Casa de Esperanza, Boulder Mountain Parks, Chautauqua Association, Center for People with Disabilities, Boulder Safe House and Boulder Homeless Shelter, said Finger, who is also a member of the GSBA.

"We will be doing some painting, and weed pulling," Finger said. "There will be more than a few paint-covered graduate students."

The GSBA is a student-run organization that represents the MBA student body at CU-Boulder. The Community Enhancement committee offers students in the organization opportunities for community service.

CU Real Estate Center, MoeÂ’s Bagels, DominoÂ’s Pizza and the Lafayette Wal-Mart are sponsoring the event.