Volunteers prepare for 10th Annual Fayette Appreciation Day
Upper Iowa University students, faculty and staff will be joined by other local volunteers in conducting over 40 unique service projects in 10 Fayette County communities during the 10th Annual Fayette Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 20.
With the focus being on projects that affect the greater community, this year’s estimated 500 participants can choose to help with a variety of volunteer efforts at local schools, daycare centers and senior living facilities, or landscaping and general community cleanup projects in Hawkeye, Waucoma, Maynard, Randalia, Clermont, Elgin, Wadena, Oelwein, West Union, Fayette, and the surrounding area.
Among the specific projects is the clean-up of Big Rock Road, old Highway 150, Landfill Road, the Volga River, Big Rock Country Club, the Fayette Opera House, Fayette-Volga River Multi-Use Trail, Rainbow Land Preschool/Daycare, Volga River Recreation Area, downtown West Union, downtown Fayette, and the UIU-Fayette campus. Volunteers will also be working with Meals on Wheels, Maple Crest Manor, and North Fayette Valley Middle School.
“The positive response we continue to receive from each community that we go into has been overwhelming over the years,” said Daryl Grove, UIU director of student activities. “What started out as a way for UIU to show its appreciation to the Fayette community for its longtime support, has grown into an annual event where members of the Peacock family are joined by residents and alumni throughout Fayette County in sharing their appreciation and support for each other and their communities. The goodwill that is showcased by all of the volunteers is simply amazing.”
Since being established a decade ago, over 4,000 UIU volunteers have completed more than 400 service projects during Fayette Appreciation Day. The event has been recognized locally and nationally, receiving awards from the State of Iowa Governor’s Service Awards and President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
The 2016 Fayette Appreciation Day activities begin at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20. The 10th annual event will conclude with a volunteer celebration and a lunch at noon in Fayette’s Cardinal Park. In the case of inclement weather, Fayette Appreciation Day will be held Wednesday, April 27, or as determined by the individual project leader.
For additional information, contact Grove at groved@uiu.edu.
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