Ian Benson
Features Editor
Tomorrow, from 12-4 p.m. the Wooster Volunteer Network (WVN) in collaboration with the Student Government Agency (SGA) are spearheading Rake-A-Difference. For this event, students will head and assist in the raking and upkeep of the lawns of houses that border the campus.
The purpose of the event is to improve the relationship between students and Wooster citizens. “We hope the event will foster interactions between Wooster students and our neighbors,” Lauren Grimanis ’12 said. “We are all a part of the greater Wooster community, and showing our neighbors that we care and we want to get to know them will hopefully have a positive impact on our future relationship.”
The event is meant to assist in the start of bridging the apparent gap that has been created over the years between students and the neighboring community, with both sides participating in lengthening the divide. It might not seem like much, but it’s a first step. The event comes at a time when relations between the community and the college are understandably strained and is an important move. The event attempts to involve the community in the campus and the campus in the community.
As for how the event itself is to be carried out, Amanda Collins ’13 explained “as people arrive we are going to send them out to different parts of the neighborhood with rakes and gloves.” Groups of students are to meet at the football stadium, from where they’ll be sent down the streets to assist. “People are welcome to come in groups and we can add people to groups as well if they come individually. Then one street at a time, students will rake leaves and do general yard work for our neighbors.”
Students headed out Wednesday, Nov. 9 to ensure that members of the community were receptive to the idea and asked the city for assistance with the picking up of leaves, truly bringing together the campus, citizens and general community to work on a small but considerate project.
Those interested in assisting with the event can sign up at the Lowry front tables where members of the WVN and SGA will be today, looking for volunteers. Donuts and cider will be provided to those that volunteer, in addition to the equipment necessary in the task.