Campus members 'clean up' on Make a Difference Day

by Rene Delport
Office of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning
Make A Difference Day, Oct. 22, was sponsored by Fresno State, Councilmember Tom Boyajian's office and the Volunteer Center of Fresno.  Activities focused on landscape clean up of various street medians, freeway on and off ramps, trails and parks.

Fresno State designated two clean-up sites specifically for students, the Discovery Center and El Dorado Park.  With the help of Councilmember Larry Westerlund's office, the El Dorado Park area west of Bulldog stadium was cleaned.  Six members of the Trabajadores de the Raza Club assisted, Rosalyn Belloumini and Nicole Dimera from Mr. Westerlund's office.  They picked up trash and pulled weeds in the park and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Seventeen members of Delta Sigma Theta sorority volunteered at the Discovery Center.  Their work focused on landscape clean up of the cactus garden and trails at the Discovery Center.

Students representing Golden Key International Honor Society, the Residence Hall Association, a Communication 8 class, and the Amerasia Organization assisted with clean up efforts at the Shaw Avenue and Freeway 41 onramps and offramps.

The overall event attracted about 150 volunteers, including City Councilmembers, Assemblymember Juan Arambula and Congressman Jim Costa.  Of the 150 volunteers, approximately 50 were Fresno State students.

This was a worthwhile event with a very positive outcome for our students and the community.  Feedback from the students, Discovery Center staff, Councilman Westerlund's staff and staff of the Volunteer Center of Fresno were all positive about their experience and the outcome of the event.