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Incoming Freshmen to Lead Community Clean-up Event



This August incoming freshman will take to the streets as Wesley College partners up with the Dover Housing Authority, the Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity and the Office of the Honorable Senator Thomas Carper in one of the biggest clean-up projects the city of Dover has ever seen. The class of 2014 will start their time off at Wesley giving back to others. The 123 = ABC Community Event will be part of the new student orientation. The event title references the project guidelines: in 1 day, 20 blocks in Downtown Dover will receive over 300 hours of volunteer service resulting in A Beautiful Community.

The clean-up crew will consist of approximately 500 incoming freshmen as well as faculty, staff, community members and returning student athletes. “Faculty and staff are really excited,” said Mary-Alice Ozechoski, dean of students. “We anticipate that we will have at least 600 people that will participate in the program.” It will take place Saturday August 21 during freshmen orientation week. A rain date has been scheduled for August 28. The project will span a 20 block radius including the City of Dover/Carper Homeownership Program Target Area which includes Loockerman Street north to Mary Street, Governors Avenue west to West Street. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Local businesses are getting in on the action too. Lowes plans to donate supplies, and by August, Wesley hopes to have identified even more contributors. The Dover Police Department will also be involved and will be heading up teams and adding extra security in the streets to secure students' safety. First aid stations, water stops and dumpsters will be set up throughout town.

Local residents will have a chance to apply for the clean-up this summer. The 123=ABC Event is a one day community clean up event focusing on improving curb appeal and streetscape. Volunteers will work in every street to pick up trash, paint curbs and plant flowers and shrubs. They will also work with property owners who apply for minor projects such as yard work, repairs to fences, repairs to front porches, etc. The Wesley administration is focusing on people who may be elderly or unable to complete these projects on their own.

“Dover is our home,” Ozechoski said. “There are some beautiful homes and some beautiful spaces that we are all aware of, but there are some places very close to our campus that need our help. Unlike other local institutions, they are right in our back yard.”

The Dover Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, and City of Dover are also sponsoring a barbeque for the student workers upon their return to campus.

“I think it will help to bring people together,” Ozechoski said. “It’s a great way for our students to do community service, and to meet people in town.” As an institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church, projects like 123=ABC demonstrate the core values, such as giving back to the community, that Wesley hopes to instill in its students.

“I hope for the students to understand a little bit more about the city of Dover, and that this event inspires them to keep giving back during their four years at Wesley,” said Ozechoski.

If you would like to participate or donate to the cause, please contact Dean of Students Mary-Alice Ozechoski at Ozechoskima@wesley.edu or 302.736.2443

For more information on the 1-2-3 = ABC Community Event, please contact the event organizers: Jocelyn McBride, executive director of the Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity at 302-698-1939 or email director@centraldelawarehfh.com, or Ami Sebastian-Hauer, executive director of the Dover Housing Authority at 302-270-0735 or ami.hauer@dhade.org