The Black and Gold helps to 'Paint the Town Green'

By Mike Porter

VCU students, staff, faculty and alumni will team up with residents in neighboring communities on Saturday to “Paint the Town Green” by picking up trash in neighborhoods around VCU.

The event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday in Monroe Park. Volunteers will be divided into teams and given trash bags and gloves to pick up litter in one of four assigned neighborhoods: Carver, Randolph, Oregon Hill and the Fan District.

Organizers said the event allows members of the VCU community to show neighborhood spirit and strengthen the relationship between the university and surrounding communities. A large turnout is anticipated.

“We expect more than 100 people to turn out, according to our Facebook page,” said student organizer Emily Eason. “The volunteers will be walking around neighborhoods, picking up trash and sorting trash from recyclables.”

A celebration for volunteers with free food will be held after the cleanup. The informal gathering is another way for volunteers to meet their neighbors.

“Paint the Town Green” is sponsored by the Monroe Park Campus Student Government Association, VCU AmeriCorps, Rams Alumni Volunteer Network, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, VCU Honors College and the VCU Neighborhood team.