Intergenerational Fall Clean-Up Brings Together Oneida County Youth and Seniors

630 Volunteers Clean 120 Homes During 10th Annual Event

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that 630 youth volunteers cleaned up 120 homes for senior citizens this past weekend during the 10th Annual Oneida County Intergenerational Fall Clean-Up.

Each year, the Oneida County Youth Bureau and the Oneida County Office for the Aging & Continuing Care unites youth volunteers from area colleges, school districts and youth organizations with senior citizens in order to deliver general yard clean-up services.

“For the past 10 years, these cleanups have gone beyond young people simply raking leaves and sweeping driveways for seniors who can no longer physically perform or financially afford such duties,” Picente said. “They have become rewarding experiences in which both sides have learned much from each other, and in some cases, created long-lasting bonds. It’s initiatives like this that truly represent what Oneida County Government is all about.”

This year’s fall session took place Oct. 20-21. Volunteers met up at Proctor Park in Utica and were dispersed to homes all across the county including Utica, Rome, New Hartford, Whitesboro, New York Mills, Marcy, Sauquoit, Clinton, Sherrill, Vernon, Camden, Remsen and Waterville.

The spring clean-up was conducted April 28-29 and saw 450 youth volunteers clean up 100 homes for senior citizens.

Over the past 10 years, the Intergenerational Fall and Spring Clean-Ups have amassed 9,866 youth volunteers and served 1,865 Oneida County seniors.

The 11th Annual Intergenerational Spring Clean-Up is scheduled for April 20-21, 2019 and the Fall Clean-Up is slated for Oct. 19-20, 2019.

Any youth organization interested in volunteering should contact the Oneida County Youth Bureau at 315-798-5027. Senior citizens interested in having their yard cleaned should contact the Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care at 315-798-5456.