With a palette of Southeastern colors, Phi Mu sorority has been painting the cart section of the Albertsons grocery store off West Thomas St. in Hammond.

“Albertsons has been trying to get somebody to paint this room and we volunteered. It’s fun and I like painting, and it’s something that’ll make them happy,” said biology freshman Michelle LeBlanc, who also leads the painting operation. “I don’t look at it as a job. It’s just fun. It’s turning out good.”

According to LeBlanc, the project to make the cart section more Southeastern friendly has been going on for about two weeks, however members of Phi Mu were not able to be there every day due to Thanksgiving vacation and members being busy with other activities.

“Painting isn’t really my favorite thing, but I think I’m doing it more because of the opportunity that we have been given to show the community that we are here to help, that we do like doing community service and to help Albertsons out, because they have been trying to do this for a while,” said criminal justice senior DeAnn Lemus. “What really makes me happy is just seeing that we’re doing this just for the community and they’re appreciating it.”

The opportunity to paint the cart section of the store has been available to Southeastern organizations for six months. However, the Phi Mus are the first to take advantage of it.

“Albertsons is paying for everything,” said LeBlanc. “We’re volunteering and they’re giving us all the supplies. We’re just volunteering our work and time and it’s going to turn out great. I’m excited.”