Published 2007-04-25T00:00:00Z”/>

Stacey Kennelly

Sigma Pi fraternity members celebrated Earth Day on Sunday by sweeping sidewalks and snipping weeds at the Associated Students Children’s Center on campus.

Members decided to clean up the center in the Aymer J. Hamilton Building for their annual national philanthropy event, said Vice President Josh Burke, who was in charge.

The event was part of the Altruistic Campus Experience Program, in which Sigma Pi chapters nationwide do at least one volunteer project a year, he said.

Members washed windows, cleaned out the sandbox and pulled weeds for four hours in the playground, Burke said.

“Kids can actually play out there now,” he said. “Before, it was just weeds.”

Another group organized and cleaned the Child Development Laboratory in Modoc Hall so it can run more efficiently, Burke said.

Senior Dave Lessack trimmed bushes at the event, which will be his last philanthropy project before he graduates. He said the children’s center doesn’t get a lot of attention, and he liked doing service on campus.

“It’s not just work. It’s a lot of fun.” Lessack said. “We’re out here with our buddies making jokes the whole time.”

Stacey Kennelly can be reached at <a href= “mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]</a>