The current school year is quickly coming to a close and not many people are thinking about school supplies for next year — except for the UNM Alumni Association. With the current economic crisis, it is predicted there will be a much greater need next year for school supplies. To help meet the need, the UNM Alumni Association has once again partnered with APS for its annual APS/UNM School Supplies Drive. The drive is currently underway through Friday, May 28, 2010.

Next year, as many as 10,000 students will need supplies. APS Superintendent Winston Brooks said, "Ensuring that families have appropriate school supplies for their students will lift the burden of this expense in these tough economic times."

At this time, the Alumni Association is asking for monetary donations because supplies can be purchased en masse through the APS warehouse at a significantly lower cost.

The School Supplies Drive will culminate in a distribution event held at University Stadium in July. Both UNM student athletes and alumni will be on hand to help distribute thousands of packs filled with school supplies, as well as meet and greet the students and their families.

Donations can be made by logging on to UNM Alumni and clicking on the APS/UNM School Supply Drive box. Checks can also be mailed to the Alumni Association at 1 University of New Mexico, Hodgin Hall, MSC01 1160, Albuquerque, NM 87131.

For more information contact Roberta Ricci, Alumni Relations Office (505) 277-9085 or abqricci@unm.edu.

Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu