Beautification projects in Schenectady part of tradition of service
Thursday, October 13, 2005
A variety of beautification projects are planned for the 11th annual John Calvin Toll Day, which is being marked by the Union College community Saturday. From 10 a.m. to noon, Union College students will clean up the city of Schenectady with a variety of projects, including weeding, hedge trimming, reshaping bushes and planting flowers. Daffodils and tulip bulbs will also be planted between State Street and Nott Terrace.
This annual community service day is named for one of Union'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.
“I'm excited to see that the entire Union community, including Minerva Houses, various student clubs, faculty and staff, fraternities, sororities and athletic associations, will actively participate in John Calvin Toll Day,” said Gretchel Tyson, director of community outreach and affirmative action at the college. “Our goal is to recognize National Community Service Day (Oct. 23) by providing the opportunity for all campus members to participate in the commitment to the city of Schenectady.”
The event is coordinated between the Kenney Community Center at Union College, the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. and local volunteers. Each volunteer will get a $5 coupon, valid at participating stores and restaurants in Schenectady.
The downtown corporation will loan the necessary equipment for the effort, while the college will provide the transportation.
A number of parks, municipal buildings and city-owned properties will be on the project list. Locations include Vale Park, Center City Sportsplex, the county library building, outdoor areas in front of the police station and the public library on Liberty Street and the Schenectady Museum and Amtrak station parking lots.
Former College President Roger H. Hull was a champion of community service during his 15-year tenure. He wanted first-year students to become more active in the community, be good neighbors and be civic-minded. Toll Day originally was part of new student orientation, but upper-class students also wanted to participate. The college now invites all students, faculty and staff to participate and be a part of National Community Service Day.
For more information, call 388-6609.