Students Rake in Good Will on Good Neighbor Day

When volunteers arrived at her house on Sylvania Avenue in downtown Fredericksburg, Betsy Valentine greeted them with rakes, trash bags and fresh scones. Valentine says the service day symbolizes the commencement of spring in her gardens, and she signs her home up for the University of Mary Washington’s Good Neighbor Day each year.

“It has been great,” she said. “I absolutely love it!”

Area residents call on UMW student volunteers to complete various tasks each year during Good Neighbor Day. Photo by Noah Strobel.

More than 100 student volunteers, gathered here inside the University Center, headed to various service assignments througout Fredericksburg’s College Heights area on Good Neighbor Day. Photo by Noah Strobel.

Clearing away leaves was among the services provided by UMW student volunteers on Good Neighbor Day. The annual occassion has students working on various outdoor projects to help Fredericksburg area residents. Photo by Noah Strobel.

UMW students come together to strengthen community ties on Good Neighbor Day, when they help residents with various chores. Photo by Noah Strobel.

UMW students raked, weeded and completed various service projects during this past weekend’s Good Neighbor Day. Photo by Noah Strobel.

This past Saturday, more than 100 UMW students spent their morning – and used their muscles – giving back to the Fredericksburg community by participating in Good Neighbor Day, hosted by Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) for the third consecutive year. The daylong neighborhood cleanup has volunteers doing yardwork and other tasks in areas close to campus, with the intention of not only helping folks, but also fostering positive relationships between the University and the community.

“Students typically come back with smiles and the evident fulfillment from lending support and creating positive connections with the neighbors,” said UMW senior and COAR Staff Director Anika Hussain, who got involved with the group as a freshman. “I think it’s important to acknowledge that we as students are a part of the Fredericksburg community. Good Neighbor Day is such a wonderful opportunity to support the community in a way that benefits both students and local residents.”

UMW students volunteered to rake leaves, pick up trash and more in neighborhoods on either side of campus during Good Neighbor Day. Photo by Noah Strobel.

The Center for Community Engagement organizes Good Neighbor Day, an annual event that has UMW students volunteering their time and energy to help tidy up the area. Photo by Noah Strobel.

In the College Heights and College Terrace neighborhoods surrounding the University, students complete a morning of free outdoor service projects for residents. Among this year’s projects, students worked with UMW Landscape and Grounds to conduct a campus-wide litter clean-up, and completed assignments at 18 local homes. Typically, tasks include raking yards, pruning plants, laying mulch and even painting sheds.

Junior Andrew Halmrast first heard about the volunteer opportunity from his Mary Washington golf coach, and he decided it would be a great way to help the community while giving the golf team exposure in the Fredericksburg area. He and about 10 other teammates spent the day near Sunken Road raking, pruning and scraping paint.

UMW students volunteers shared their views on the meaning of “service” during a BBQ on Ball Circle on Good Neighbor Day. Photo by Noah Strobel.

There was plenty of food, fun – and furry friends – at a barbecue on Ball Circle on Good Neighbor Day. Photo by Noah Strobel.

“There is something different about getting out in the community and helping the people around you,” Halmrast said. “It’s a way to build connections and network and really be a part of something bigger than yourself.”

After a productive morning, volunteers, community members and several furry friends gathered on Ball Circle at COAR’s barbeque, co-hosted with Canine Companions for Independence. Petting an excitable yellow Lab, first-time volunteer and Mary Washington sophomore Kate Seltzer reflected on her day, saying she’d like to participate again next year.

“Good Neighbor Day was a success,” said Sarah Dewees, associate director of the Center for Community Engagement, which houses COAR. “This event, and the community picnic afterwards, builds nice bonds between community members, the students and the University.”