Fall Sweep is this weekend in Fredonia
Fall Sweep is this weekend in Fredonia
Trending
Students from SUNY Fredonia will be doing their part to contribute to their community this weekend. Fredonia's annual Fall Sweep is this Saturday beginning around noon throughout the village.
Fall Sweep is an annual volunteer initiative where SUNY Fredonia students partner with the Village of Fredonia to assist residents with seasonal yard cleanup, leaf collection, and neighborhood beautification. The event is one of SUNY Fredonia's largest civic engagement events, bringing together hundreds of students to support local homeowners and strengthen campus-community connections.
"It's a really fun event and I really appreciate the community for letting us do this every year. It means a lot to the campus to be able to go out and do it, and I'm sure it means a lot to the community too," said Syd Smith, Chair of Community Relations through the Student Association at SUNY Fredonia.
Various student clubs participate in the event, where they are each assigned a street in the village. Homeowners in the village hang fliers on their door if they wish to participate, and on the day of the event, students stop by to rake leaves and clean the lawn. The event usually lasts roughly two hours before students meet back on campus for a reception.
Fall Sweep began roughly two decades ago. It was previously coordinated by the student-run Applied Communication Association, but last year, Smith took over coordinating the event as a freshman at Fredonia. The Applied Communication Association is assisting this year under Smith's direction.
"It was definitely a lot to handle as a freshman with not a lot of experience with the campus at all. I was kind of thrown into it, but I honestly wouldn't have had it any other way," Smith said.
Roughly 300 students participated in last year's event. Now in her second year running things, Smith hopes for another successful event this weekend with 17 clubs signed up to participate.
"We had a great turnout last year. It was amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better turnout for my first year," Smith said.
Smith, now a sophomore at SUNY Fredonia, is originally from Collins and graduated from Gowanda High School. At SUNY Fredonia, Smith is involved in the arts, including painting, drawing, and musical theatre.
In addition to her role as Chair of Community Relations through the Student Association at SUNY Fredonia, Smith is President of the women's volleyball club and is running for Vice President of the Student Association.
Smith feels comfortable when placed in leadership positions, and with the Fall Sweep, she has the opportunity to help out the community as a whole.
"I really like taking charge, leading, and doing things for the community, so it was a perfect spot for me to fill," Smith said. "I really hope to do it through my senior year."
Any clubs or organizations that wish to participate in Fall Sweep or homeowners who wish to have their property included are encouraged to contact Smith directly at smit6579@fredonia.edu.