Students Partner With Local Organizations to Keep Florence Litter Free

Mar. 18, 2011

FLORENCE, Ala. – In collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement, Shoals Chamber of Commerce and Keep Shoals Beautiful, and the Florence Recycling Center, the University of North Alabama will host its second annual Clean-Up Day tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon to help keep Florence a litter-free city.

Jennifer Brown, assistant director of student engagement for leadership and volunteerism, said the event allows UNA students to come together with local organizations to remove trash and other debris from various locations across Florence. UNA Clean-Up Day gives students the opportunity to acquire volunteer hours while helping to keep their community clean.

“One thing I hope to achieve with the students is that they get a greater sense of purpose and community and an understanding of the vital role that citizens have,” she said. “This is their home for at least a few years, and we want them to have a greater sense of taking care of the environment and how to protect it.”

UNA Clean-Up Day attracts those from Miss UNA, Greek organizations, international affairs and from all academic majors. Though Brown requests students sign up prior to the event at the Office of Student Engagement, they will accept any student who is willing to take part in the community service project.

Students involved will receive free breakfast, lunch and transportation. Brown said the last UNA Clean-Up Day brought in around 70 volunteers who cleaned almost two miles of litter in Killen. She hopes more students will take part in this year’s UNA Clean-Up Day since they will be focusing on cleaning areas that are close to the UNA campus.

For more information, contact the Office of Student Engagement at 256-765-4248.