The Greencastle and DePauw communities are joining forces for Greencastle Clean City Month in an effort to beautify the city. This project began on April 20 and will last through May 19. Students and community members will have the opportunity to participate in various activities.
The idea for Clean City Month originated several years ago - the event has evolved from a clean-up day to a full week to an entire month.
Amy Doan, a member of the Greencastle Civic League and Clean City Month Chair, has been working hard to coordinate efforts between various organizations to improve the environment of Greencastle.
This year, the league has been recruiting volunteers with ease as they have been shifting their focus to make the overall experience fun and enjoyable.
There has been a variety of community involvement from a range of people involved in coordinating and planning activities and organizing volunteers.
Cara Setchell, associate dean of students, has helped to distribute press releases. Professor Genie Pope has also been highly active in the process. Junior Olivia Carmel and sophomore Ben Cox, members of Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council respectively, have both been deeply involved with getting the word out and gathering up volunteers.
Many different groups across DePauw's campus will be taking part in helping to clean the city, including Civic Fellows, DePauw Eco Reps, the Office for Sustainability and a large variety of greek organizations. Many individuals have also signed up independently.
Various businesses and members from the community are participating as well. The Greencastle Civic League has been in coordination with DePauw University, Ivy Tech, Commerce Bank, Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are lending their support.
Ridpath Elementary School has volunteered to plant flowers and gave a $100 donation to complete this project, and soccer teams are participating in the month's activities as well.
The city will host many events throughout the month, such as a river clean up and highway clean up. DePauw students will assist projects like pulling weeds and picking up trash at Big Walnut Sports Park along with on various streets throughout the city. Students will also be planting flowers at City Hall and sealing fences at Robe Ann Park.
The month-long clean up not only offers community members with the opportunities to spend time physically cleaning up different areas, but also includes events such as Tox-A-Way Day, allowing people to participate in smaller ways.
Tox-A-Way Day is an opportunity to dispose of large refuse items at reduced rates. It will take place on May 19. Items can range from aluminum cans and newspapers to old car tires and refrigerators. The event will be held at Putnam County Fairgrounds, and it's being co-sponsored by the Greencastle Civic League and West Central Solid Waste District.
Cox said this is another opportunity to bring both communities together to create a positive outcome.
"It's a great opportunity for DePauw to interact with and give back to the Greencastle community," Cox said. "By working with the Greencastle Civic League, we're able to step out of the bubble and get to know the residents of the city, and the residents are given a chance to get to know the DePauw students. The clean city month project has been able to bring together a variety of clubs and greek organizations into a unified service that's benefiting the local community."