University volunteers help prove UA students make great neighbors

It was like a dream come true. The day was turning out to be a beauty. Spring was in the air and the birds were chirping and the urge to clean up the yard, plant flowers, and to water were overwhelming me ... But what a job it would be to do it all. After assessing the yard, I turned around to see an army of college students heading down the street towards my home. All University of Arizona volunteer students coming to help our little piece of pie in the Pie Allen Neighborhood. The first wave of helpers came and planted all the flowers that I had purchased the day before, the second wave planted all the ground cover for the easement I never seemed to have time to do, a third wave of helpers planted a new bird of paradise bush, and a fourth group raked and picked up my entire yard from debris and doggie do. All the students worked hard and I really enjoyed their company. It was an experience that won't soon be forgotten and I have all the rewards to enjoy in my yard.

I want to, once again, give big thanks to all these student volunteers. I will never remember all their names but I will never forget their smiling faces that Sunday they came out to help community relations. It is a pleasure to have these University of Arizona students as my neighbors! A special thanks to Julie Stanford, chairwoman for the Big Event, for her calm cool-headed coordination of the day's activities.

By Patricia Esterline (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
May 5, 1997