As many as 700 Union students will spread out across Schenectady and the surrounding region Saturday, Sept. 6, for the College’s largest day of community service.
Representing Greek life, athletics, clubs, organizations and others, students will be joined by faculty, staff and alumni to clean up parks and public spaces and provide other help as needed.
Started in 1996, the event has been known as John Calvin Toll Day since 2001. It is coordinated by the College’s Kenney Center for Community Engagement and Outreach and helps strengthen Union’s commitment to the city and region through these service-learning opportunities.
“Toll Day is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved,” said Kevin Trigonis, director of Community Engagement and Outreach. “Our community partners and students all look forward to this kick-off to volunteering for the academic year.”
Among the organizations receiving support this year are Bethel Northside community center, Goose Hill Neighborhood Association, Schenectady Urban Farms and ReTree Schenectady.
Students may also volunteer at some of the notable festivals taking place that day, including the Little Italy Street Fest on Jay Street, the Greek Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Church and the Caribbean Multi-Cultural Festival in Central Park.
John Calvin Toll was a member of Union’s first graduating class in 1799. He was the great-great-grandfather of Al Hill ’46, a retired attorney from Buffalo who died in 2007.
The community service project is supported by a gift from Hill and his wife, Perrie. The Hills created the fund to encourage Union students to undertake volunteer service.
“We believe that the experiences from this activity will carry over beyond graduation and enrich not only those they serve but also the volunteers,” said Hill in announcing the gift.