With Al Hill '46 smiling, several hundred first-year students joined dozens of community volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 2, to pitch in, pick up, and put a shine on the city of Schenectady.
Hill, a retired attorney from Buffalo, N.Y., and his wife, Perrie, were at the event because this year it was named John Calvin Toll 1799 Community Day in recognition of their recent gift to the College. Calvin Toll was Hill's great, great grandfather and a member of Union's first graduating class. The Hills created the fund to encourage Union students to undertake volunteer service. “We believe that the experiences from this activity will carry over beyond graduation and enrich not only those they serve but also the volunteers,” Hill said.
The Union students, joined by volunteers from Schenectady 2000 and the General Electric Elfun Society, tackled a range of projects throughout the city, from painting railroad bridges to pulling weeds to removing graffiti. In the five years that first-year students have been participating in the effort, more than 500 gallons of paint have been used, more than 5,000 mums and 200 shrubs have been planted, and 200 yards of mulch and topsoil have been used to beautify parks and playgrounds.
President Roger Hull, Schenectady Mayor Al Jurczynski, and the students and volunteers paid tribute to Hill at a recognition luncheon at the city's Riverside Park. The day also was the fiftieth wedding anniversary for Al and Perrie Hill. Hill has been president of the Western New York Alumni Club, an admissions volunteer, and is a life member of the Terrace Council. In 1991 he received the Alumni Council Gold Medal for service to the College. In addition to his great, great grandfather, the family has had members of the Classes of 1832, 1876, 1907, 1912, 1940, and 1973.
In addition to the gift from the Hills, which supports the efforts of Union students, the General Electric Co. contributed $10,000 this year towards the purchase of supplies. Since 1995, the company has contributed $50,000 to support Freshman Day — now known as John Calvin Toll 1799 Community Day.