Donating clothes to those in need the goal of Nearly Naked Mile

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University students will have the opportunity to give those in need the clothes off their backs - literally - during the sixth annual Nearly Naked Mile.

The Nearly Naked Mile, a noncompetitive event in which students run or walk through campus in bathing suits or costumes, will begin at 7 p.m. March 21 at Lambert Fieldhouse, with registration beginning there at 6 p.m. The event concludes at the Dauch Alumni Center.

Students may 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 programs with the Purdue Alumni Association, said the event is a fun way for students to do something positive to help their community, as well as 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, best group costume, best pair costume, and 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 event's conclusion. The first 225 PASE members that sign up and attend the event will receive a free T-shirt.

"The Nearly Naked Mile is a fun way for students to get involved and give back to the local community while promoting Purdue pride," said Ashley Potts, a junior majoring in animal science and a PASE board of director on the planning committee. "We have high hopes for the sixth year with an even greater turnout and an increase of donations from last year when we had more than 500 participants and donated over 800 pounds of clothing. We are excited for this year's Nearly Naked Mile on March 21."

Those not wishing to participate in the race can donate clothing at the Dauch Alumni Center, 403 W. Wood St. This event is sponsored by PASE, the Purdue Alumni Association, Arni's Restaurant and University Spirit.

Complete information, including rules and a map of the race, as well as pictures from last year's event is available at http://www.purduealumni.org/pase/pase-events/nearly-naked-mile-2013/

Sources: Brandi Farrer, 765-494-5180, brandi@purdue.edu