Oneida County Intergenerational Fall Clean-Up Returns

12th Annual Event Sees 545 Youth Volunteers Service the Homes of 100 Seniors

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that 545 youth volunteers serviced the homes of 100 senior citizens during the return of of the Oneida County Intergenerational Fall Clean-Up this past weekend.

“It was great to have this impactful event back after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Picente said. “Many of our senior citizens have come to depend on the assistance this provides. These volunteers deliver much-needed services to those who either can no longer physically do the work themselves, or due to a fixed income, can’t afford to pay to have the work done for them. The fall clean-up also serves as an opportunity for these youth to give back to the community in a productive and meaningful way.”

The 12th annual event took place October 22^nd & 23^rd and it was the first time it had occurred since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative is a partnership between the Oneida County Youth Bureau and the Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care and unites youth from area colleges, school districts and youth organizations with senior citizens in order to provide general yard clean-up services, including raking and collecting leaves; sweeping porches, sidewalks and driveways and brining light refuse to the curb.

Volunteers participated from Utica University, Mohawk Valley Community College, Boy Scout Troop 21, Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Utica Academy of Science, Oriskany High School, Clinton Middle School, Proctor High School, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School, New York Mills High School, Notre Dame High School, Camden High School, Whitesboro Middle School and Sauquoit High School.

To date, 7,077 youth volunteers have assisted 1,303 seniors throughout the county during the Fall Clean-Up, and 4,284 youth volunteers have helped 967 seniors during the Spring Clean-Up.

The 2023 Intergenerational Spring Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday April 22^nd & Sunday April 23^rd and the 2023 Intergenerational Fall Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday October 21^st & Sunday October 22^nd.

Any Oneida County colleges, school districts or youth organizations interested in volunteering should contact the Oneida County Youth Bureau at 315-798-5027. Any senior citizen interested in having their yard cleaned should contact the Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care at 315-798-5456.