Chico State students spent their last day of summer vacation cleaning up the town for Be Chico Day on Aug. 25.

About 160 incoming freshman and current members of Community Action Volunteers in Education took part by cleaning up various locations in Chico. Groups of students traveled to the Boys and Girls Club, the Chico Animal Shelter, the Organic Vegetable Project and neighborhoods surrounding the campus to clean up and make a difference in the community.

Elisa Trimboli, outreach manager for CAVE, was in charge of putting together Be Chico Day and hopes it will really benefit incoming students.

“It’s a first time for many of them to volunteer in general or in Chico,” Trimboli said. “I just hope they make a connection with somebody and get involved because involvement is where opportunities happen.”

Vincent De La Torre, a junior communication design major, participated in Be Chico Day as a member of CAVE and helped transport students to cleanup locations.

“I love doing this kind of stuff,” De La Torre said.

“Getting involved and volunteering can be a great way for anyone to meet a lot of people,” he added.

Juan Leyva, a freshman electrical engineering major, used his Sunday afternoon to help clean up the community.

“I had nothing to do so I decided to come and help out the community for awhile,” Leyva said. “It’s a good way to get to know people and help out the environment.”

Be Chico Day will likely take place again in the future.

“This is definitely going to be something that happens again,” Trimboli said. “This was a really positive way to welcome students.”

Sharon Martin can be reached at [email protected].