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Volunteers are needed for Community Clean-Up Day planned in the City of Cortland on Saturday, April 17. Sponsored by the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce and the Cortland Common Council, the clean-up will take place from 9-11 a.m. under the supervision of Common Council representatives.

From 8:30-9 a.m., coffee and bagels will be available at the Chamber of Commerce building, 37 Church St. Garbage bags and gloves, donated by local contributors, will be provided. Volunteer groups will be assigned sections of the city and drop off points for full trash bags.

Registration as individuals or groups is requested by contacting Erica Smith at (607) 753-4270.

This year’s clean-up is expected to be the largest to date, drawing hundreds of volunteers. T-shirts will be provided at the start so that city residents will know that it is an organized effort and will be encouraged to join in.

The annual event was started by Val and Garry VanGorder in 2006 when Val served the city as First Ward alderman and Garry directed the Chamber of Commerce. In its fifth year, the Community Clean-Up Day has become a citywide endeavor organized by the Chamber of Commerce, the Common Council and the Cortland Downtown Partnership with help from SUNY Cortland’s Institute for Civic Engagement and the SUNY Cortland AmeriCorps Program. The VanGorders continue to work on behalf of the community, Garry as the executive director of the Cortland County Business Development Corporation and Industrial Development Agency, and Val as a volunteer for many local organizations. 

The clean-up launches Sustainability Week at SUNY Cortland and in the City of Cortland. From Monday, April 19 through Friday, April 23, Sustainability Week will offer daily events and workshops, volunteer opportunities, community-wide presentations, conferences and educational films to encourage recycling and care of the earth. Thursday, April 22, will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

All Sustainability Week events will be free and open to the public. A schedule of events will be published in the April 19 issue of The Bulletin. For more information, contact Stephanie Plude at (607) 753-4271.