Note: Media are invited to the holiday party for the families at DCH Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – This year’s freshman class of Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars at The University of Alabama are giving back to the West Alabama community in a service project to help five families who have critically ill babies in intensive care at DCH Regional Medical Center.

The 12 UA students – who have received the prestigious scholarships given to students who are the first in their families to attend college – have raised money and bought gifts for their adopted families. They are having a holiday party for the parents and siblings on Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the 3rd floor Ed Tower conference room at DCH.

The Coca-Cola scholars are being assisted by Angela Benjamin, a UA social work graduate student who is helping coordinate this project, and Will Adams, DCH pediatric social worker who helped the UA students select the families.

The students will be decorating the room and providing food and presents.

For more information about the event, contact Benjamin at 334/467-1250.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.