Students, staff, administrators and community partners will come together to clean an area along Fayetteville Street as part of the university’s Centennial Make a Difference Day.

On Saturday, September 12, 2009, from 8 a.m. to noon, members of the campus community will grab brooms, trash bags and gloves to tidy up the area from St. Joseph’s AME Church to the Hayti Heritage Center.

“We are excited about our cleanup caravan, which includes students, faculty and staff. We are inviting area residents, churches and business owners to join us, to help cut weeds, rake, and pick up litter,” said Dwayne Johnson, Student Government Association (SGA) president.

Chancellor Charlie Nelms said, “Participants will not only feel good about doing good, they will also learn about environmental stewardship.” The chancellor is calling on everyone in Durham and RTP to make a difference by restoring and enhancing the streets and sidewalks. “This is a great opportunity for us be of service. We take pride in our home neighborhood.”

Make a Difference Day is part of a national program that encourages neighbors to help neighbors. North Carolina Central is proud to partner with the City of Durham’s Office of Solid Waste Management and Recycling, Keep Durham Beautiful and the North Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Beautification.

Volunteers may sign up for Make a Difference Day at http://sites.google.com/site/nccumakeadifferenceday/volunteer or just show up Saturday, September 12, at 8 a.m., at the McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.