New garden areas, brightly painted walk ways, and an outdoor classroom are among the additions created by over 250 volunteers at University Terrace Elementary School on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Volunteer groups united to give the campus a fresh look by painting classrooms, bookshelves and building benches in the gardens.
    “Hands on Schools”, a program of Volunteer! Baton Rouge, organized the effort.  The program is part of a nationwide movement to reestablish schools as the focal points of communities.  A grant from Home Depot provided the financial assistance. University Terrace was among 100 schools selected to receive the aid. 
    Among the groups taking part in the event were, City Year Louisiana, the Department of Revenue, Louisiana Master Gardeners, LSU Wesley Foundation, University Methodist Church and Volunteers in Public Schools.  Many local businesses also took part in the volunteer activities, as well as students from local schools. 
   University Terrace students returned after the holiday to find a bright new look to their school.  “The students were absolutely thrilled,” said Principal Linda Daniel.  Volunteers used their talents to paint murals on the cafeteria wall and in the school’s breeze way.  The murals include a message of healthy eating and a world map displaying the flags of various nations.