Donating clothes to those in need the goal of Nearly Naked Mile
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University students and the public will have the opportunity to give those in need the clothes off their backs - literally - during the fourth annual Nearly Naked Mile.
The Nearly Naked Mile, a noncompetitive event in which participants run or walk through campus in bathing suits or costumes will begin at 7 p.m. March 23 at the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall, with registration beginning there at 6 p.m. The event concludes at the Dauch Alumni Center.
Participants can choose to give the clothes they arrived in or donate other clothing. All collections will be donated to Lafayette Transitional Housing.
Brandi Farrer, director of student and young alumni programs with the Purdue Alumni Association, said the event is a fun way to do something positive to help the community and a way to learn more about how to get involved in alumni association activities while still a student.
The event is organized by the Purdue Alumni Student Experience (PASE), a group that involves students in alumni association activities to create a lifelong loyalty to the organization and the university. Any student currently enrolled at Purdue is eligible to be a member of PASE. Information about the group will be available during the event.
During the race, runners and walkers must be appropriately covered at all times, and the Purdue Police Department will approve each student's attire before the race and will be on hand to monitor the event. Participants also can be fully clothed or wear a costume. Prizes will be given out for the most creative costumes, the best group costume, the best pair costume and the most spirited Purdue costume.
Since it is not a timed race, participants can walk or run. Students in orange vests will guide participants along the route. Free Arni's pizza, snacks and prizes will be available at the Dauch Alumni Center at the conclusion of the race. The first 250 PASE members that sign up and attend the event will receive a free T-shirt.
"The Nearly Naked Mile is an excellent way for students to give back to the community while promoting school pride and Purdue traditions," said Jessica Smith, a sophomore in prepharmacy who is on the PASE board of directors. "This being the fourth year of the event, we expect a larger turnout and a sizeable donation for Lafayette Transitional Housing, and are hoping to top last year's donation of almost 800 pounds of clothing. We cannot wait for this year's Nearly Naked Mile on March 23. 'Boiler Up and Strip Down!'"
Those not wishing to participate in the race can donate clothing at the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall before the event begins. This event is sponsored by PASE, the Purdue Alumni Association, Arni's Restaurant and University Spirit.
Complete information, including rules and a race map, as well as pictures from last year's event, is available at https://www.purduealumni.org/pase
Sources: Brandi Farrer, 765-494-5180, brandi@purdue.edu
Jessica Smith, smith753@purdue.edu