OHIO student organization gearing up for April 22 Athens Beautification Day

Photographer: Emily MatthewsStuart Randle (left), a senior studying computer engineering, and Evan Gass, a senior studying mechanical engineering, shovel out dirt in preparation of taking out a bush in front of Athens City Hall during the 2016 Athens Beautification Day.

Last spring, more than 800 members of the Ohio University community teamed up with Athens residents for a day dedicated to community service and ensuring the city they call home remains synonymous with “beautiful.”

For the fifth time, Ohio University’s Community Service Leadership Council (CSLC) is set to plan one of the largest community service events in the City of Athens. The 12th annual Athens Beautification Day is scheduled for Sunday, April 22. 

For more information about the 2018 Athens Beautification Day, students and community members are encouraged to attend one of the Community Service Leadership Council’s meetings, held on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in Baker University Center 235.

“I would love to see our numbers grow. If we could reach over 900 participants, that would be fantastic,” Alisa Hill, this year’s director of Athens Beautification Day, said.

All OHIO students, faculty and staff, along with area residents, are welcome to participate in Athens Beautification Day. Members of the OHIO community who choose to participate will spend the day working side-by-side almost 30 organizations in the region and have the chance to listen to guest speakers. Past projects have included landscaping, cleaning up littered lawns, removing graffiti and helping out local businesses. 

Volunteers will have the option of participating in morning or afternoon shifts and may also participate all day; regardless, lunch will be provided.

Leading up to this year’s Athens Beautification Day, CSLC will continue offering service opportunities. Athens Beautification Week will begin on Monday, April 16. 

Ohio University’s Community Service Leadership Council is a student organization dedicated to helping Bobcats engage with various non-profit organizations and community service projects in Southeast Ohio. OHIO’s CSLC also hosts weekly service projects for students. 

For more information about the 2018 Athens Beautification Day, email ouabday@gmail.com.