CHICAGO (May 20, 2004)

A group of more than 350 volunteers from Leo Burnett will roll up their sleeves to renovate Academy of St. Benedict the African School on Chicago's south side. As part of the company's Give Back Day, volunteers will paint, refurbish and landscape the building and surrounding grounds at the school's campus at 6020 S. Laflin Street on Friday, May 21.

For the day-long project, Leo Burnett is partnering with Rebuilding Together * Metro Chicago, an affiliate member of a national non-profit organization that facilitates home and non-profit facility repairs. The charity identified Academy of St. Benedict the African as a candidate for this project based on the school's level of need.

"We are so grateful to receive this generous support from Rebuilding Together and the Leo Burnett volunteers," said Patricia Murphy, principal. "The update to our school facility will be a big boost to our community and our students will benefit from the renovations." Classes will be in recess during the renovation.

Rebuilding Together is the leading provider of housing rehab services to low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, the disabled and families with children. Founded in 1988 as a national organization with 13 affiliates serving 18 states, Rebuilding Together now works in 865 communities in all 50 states. Nearly two million volunteers have contributed more than 21 million hours to rehabilitate 70,000 homes and non-profit facilities.

Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools

The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for approximately 111,000 students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in the 283 elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are more than 5,800 teachers in the Catholic school system who instill values, teach discipline and achieve strong, consistent academic results in the Archdiocese of Chicago's 242 elementary and 41 secondary schools. Visit the Archdiocese of Chicago Web site at www.archchicago.o rg/schools .