Third Annual Adopt-A-Neighbor Fall Clean Up at Colorado State University is Asking for Volunteers

Off-Campus Student Services at Colorado State University and the City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Services Office are teaming up to recruit volunteers for the third annual Adopt-A-Neighbor fall clean-up event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (check-in 9:30 a.m.) on Saturday, Nov. 10, in the Fort Collins community.  

Volunteers are needed to rake leaves, pick up litter, clean gutters, trim bushes and other yard work for 40 elderly and disabled neighbors in Fort Collins. Immediately following the clean-up, a free lunch will be held in the Lory Student Center for all volunteers. Volunteers will also receive a T-shirt with the words, "Rake a Neighbor’s Day."

"This is an excellent opportunity for students to connect with

residents who are in great need of assistance," said Melissa Emerson, assistant director of Off-Campus Student Services at Colorado State.  

Emerson said that 92 percent of the students who participated in the fall clean-up event last year reported that assisting an elderly/disabled neighbor helped them feel more connected to the community. The fall clean-up event had a 62 percent increase in student participation from 2005 to 2006.

"I am hopeful the momentum from last year will continue this year," Emerson said.

Sign-up sheets are available for teams or individuals online at www.ocssral.colostate.edu/clc. The forms may either be turned in by e-mail at ocss@lamar.colostate.edu or dropped off at Off-Campus Student Services in the Lory Student Center by Tuesday, Oct. 30.  

For more information, call (970) 491-2248 or e-mail ocss@lamar.colostate.edu.

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