By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Institute Street was glowing at 8 a.m. Saturday as a group of Livingstone College students, outfitted in neon vests, moved from Monroe to Innes streets picking up trash ranging from beer bottles to paper cups.
The group decided to do a clean sweep of the stretch of road many travel several times a week to reach to Sonic Drive- In after being approached by Terry Foxlove, president of the J.C. Price American Legion Post 107 Ladies Auxiliary.
Foxlove said she encouraged students to take pride in the community where they now live and attend school, and many stepped up to the challenge.
After talking with Foxlove, Martin Hosch-Cathcart went back to campus to enlist help from his peers.
The freshman said since Salisbury is his hometown he felt particularly called to help make sure the streets are clean.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” he said. “I’m just blessed that I linked up with some good people who were willing to help out.”
Freshman Leon Simpkins said although he’s not from the area he feels it’s important to do his part to “uplift the community.”
“I’m down to do anything to help out,” he said.
Donnell Holmes II, president of Students In Free Enterprise, gathered members of his club to lend a hand.
“Our main objective is to go out and help the community so this was the perfect opportunity,” he said.
Henry Mawolo, a technology support staff member from the college, said he was proud to see the students making a positive difference.
“This is a great new direction we are taking by looking at the community around us and assisting the city in cleaning up,” he said. “I’m very excited to see them do this.”
As the students scoured the street collecting at least 10 bags of litter, juniors Annecia Williams and Charlisa Robinson left brochures in each mailbox.
The brochures included information about how to adopt a street.
“We want to motivate the community to help us keep the streets clean,” Williams said. “We are hoping that we can get more people involved and do this thing together.”
The group of students is planning to clean up Institute Street a least once a month.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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