STEPHEN SACCO
Special to The Leader
April is the month of the Earth, which means it’s time to clean and tidy up our environment.
This is the first year that the police department is hosting a community cleanup, and they wish to continue hosting these types of events in the future.
What would SUNY Fredonia be if it wasn’t for the village residents and public/private organizations contributing to the community?
Since we have residents and organizations who care, we as college students should care about the community by giving back. Not as a college and village separated, but as a united front making Fredonia greater for all.
Mike Hodkin, a police officer and proud resident of Fredonia, coordinated the cleanup happening April 15. Hodkin is bringing together student organizations at SUNY Fredonia with local organizations and businesses.
Hodlin said, “So far the community support for this cleanup has been spectacular. We are expecting a good turnout . . . Delta Phi Epsilon will be attending . . . in addition Delta Chi and Sigma Kappa have members attending, the Family Church of Fredonia plans to attend also . . . so far we have received donations or support from Howard Holt Realty, Midtown Realty, Old Main Inn, Joey Conti Photography, Home Depot, The American Legion Post 59, Glenn Acres Nursery and The Chautauqua Star . . . we also have members of the Fredonia police department attending with their families.”
With that being said, check out the Fredonia police department’s Facebook page and spread the word to help the community via social media.
Kristopher Thompson, the current president of the Delta Chi Fraternity explained the significance and history of the fraternity’s community service in Fredonia.
Thompson said, “The Delta Chi Fredonia Chapter has been proud to serve the community the past 26 years and looks forward to serving it in the years to come. In the past, we’ve participated in the Fall Sweep, The Fredonia Lion’s Club White Cane Safety Day, Relay for Life and more. It feels great doing something that can help so many people, and we always look forward to new opportunities to grow both individually and as a brotherhood.”
Not only Delta Chi, but SUNY Fredonia’s greek life in general, has been contributing to community service in Fredonia for years.
If you want to come out and support, the cleanup will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 73 Water St. Snacks and refreshments will be provided, along with cleaning supplies.
Hodkin explained how important this event is to the community.
He said, “The more support we have, the more we can accomplish. Our goal is to have no street forgotten . . . Officer Ben and his fiancé Mariah are co-organizers with me and have really helped me get things up and running.”
There will be another community clean-up the Sunday after Fred-fest, which is also encouraged.