Schenectady, N.Y. (Sept. 5, 2003) – Upon their arrival in Schenectady, hundreds of Union College freshmen will carry more
than boxes of books and furniture to their dorm rooms. They will wield brooms,
paintbrushes, and shovels as they take to the streets on Saturday, September 6,
for the ninth annual John Calvin Toll Day.
The College's annual community service day is named
for one of the College's first graduates in 1799. John Calvin
Toll Day is supported by Al Hill, a 1946 Union graduate and his wife, Perrie. Toll was the great-great-grandfather of
Hill, a retired attorney from Buffalo. The Hills created the
fund to encourage Union students to undertake volunteer service.
Students from the Class of 2007, upperclassmen, College staff and
faculty, city leaders and residents, and business owners alike will participate
in the volunteer cleanup from 10 a.m. to 1
p.m. A number of parks, city-owned properties, and not-for-profit facilities
are on the list to be spruced up. Among those are the Amtrak bridge over Union Street at Erie Boulevard, Steinmetz Park, Bethesda House, the Amtrak
parking lots, and outdoor areas around the public library and police station.
From 1 to 4
p.m. following the clean-up, a block party featuring live music on Jay Street will conclude the day.
Local leaders will thank students for their community service and present them
with a bag containing discounts and offers from area businesses and activities.
“Toll's Day is a great collaborative effort between the College and the
entire Schenectady community that benefits everyone involved,”
said Gretchel Tyson, Union's community outreach director.
“Students new to Schenectady get to know the city
better, meet new people, and have a good time while providing a valuable
service to the city.”