Laker student-athletes to rake leaves for senior citizens Nov. 5

Hundreds of SUNY Oswego student-athletes are ready to rake leaves in the city of Oswego on Sunday, Nov. 5, and they want to hear from senior citizens interested in this free help.

In its 13th year at SUNY Oswego, the project is part of an annual statewide community service project by Student-Athlete Advisory Council chapters at some SUNY Athletic Conference colleges. SAAC's mission is to generate a student-athlete voice among Oswego's intercollegiate teams and to enhance school spirit within athletics.

"The community supports and cheers on all 24 teams of Laker student-athletes, so this always is a fun chance for us to give back," said Diane Dillon, Oswego's SAAC adviser and women's hockey coach. "The senior citizens get a great service out of it, but our students also enjoy this opportunity to meet members of the Oswego community."

Student-athletes will receive a list of yards that need raking, and fan out to provide this service starting at 1 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Senior citizens can register to have their yards raked by contacting Dillon at 312-2880 or diane.dillon@oswego.edu. The project is limited to the first 50 yards registered and offered to seniors living in the city of Oswego. Homeowners must provide their own leaf or garbage bags.

"It's great to have Raby's Ace Home Center, a small business that's a big part of our community, supporting our project again this year," Dillon said. 

In addition, SUNY Oswego's SAAC chapter welcomes any additional donations of rakes, tarpaulins, gloves or refreshments to help with this sizable volunteer effort.