Wheeling Jesuit University is joining in the community clean-up in East Wheeling planned for Saturday, Oct. 8. Seeking 40 – 60 people to come out on a fall Saturday and clean-up the downtown neighborhood, assistant director of the Service for Social Action Center Erin McDonald explains that the work will take place from 10 a.m. until about 1 or 2 p.m.

“Our service office at WJU is working in partnership with East Wheeling property owner and Hopeful Housing Inc. board member James Tiu and with another neighborhood property owner and realtor Ted Maxwell,” said McDonald. Tiu and Maxwell have both performed the clean-up in the past and are working with the City of Wheeling to get dumpsters supplied for the day. “We are hoping to get a good turn-out and need students, staff, administrators and faculty to volunteer. Students can earn social concern wellness for participating in the clean-up." Tiu, who is an Xavier University alumnus, is also the owner of the Salsa Café, located on Carmel Road and in Centre Market.

Trash pick-up, sweeping, yard work and other various activities are the tasks to be performed. Tools will be provided, though all workers need to dress comfortably and appropriately for manual work, said McDonald.

Anyone interested in getting involved should call the Service for Social Action Center at 243-4361. New Wheeling Jesuit campus assistant Lauren Coil, an AmeriCorps-Vista volunteer is signing up service workers for Oct. 8.Volunteers should to meet on campus, just in front of the Chapel of Mary and Joseph, under the “Culture of Service” banner, hung on the bell tower. After taking a headcount, those who wish may drive down to East Wheeling, and a WJU van will be available for those who need transportation.

“This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on East Wheeling, which is where the Mother Jones House, Wheeling Jesuit’s intentional Christian service community is located,” added McDonald. Six students currently live at the Mother Jones House and work 10 hours per week in the East Wheeling neighborhood. Susan Haarman is the service mentor at the house.

“Please get involved and help out as we live out our mission and theme for this school year of ‘a culture of service,’” she said.