After a one year hiatus, SUNY Fredonia’s annual Fall Sweep returned this year with an estimated 300 to 400 students helping to rake leaves and clean debris in residents’ yards in the areas surrounding campus. Organized by two student groups, the Applied Communication Association (ACA) and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the event helps to build a better relationship between students and Fredonia residents.
Students gathered in the early morning for breakfast and to grab rakes and tarps before being given their location assignments. Work continued on into the afternoon when the students were proud to have completed sweeps in multiple neighborhoods at dozens of houses.
“Most students enjoy going out into the community and doing community service! Students love Fall Sweep because it’s a great way to keep good relations with the residents of Fredonia,” explained Erin Vaughan, ACA chapter president and a senior Communication: Public Relations major from Patterson, N.Y., who has been involved in Fall Sweep since her first year at Fredonia.
Students hope to continue the event in the years ahead, giving future Fredonia students and residents more chances to come together as one community.