Participation of a contingent of UWindsor staff, students and alumni in the Rose City Clean Sweep is an exciting development, an organizer said Friday.

“It’s wonderful to be forging strong relationships as we prepare for the opening of the downtown campus,” said Debi Croucher, acting director of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association.

The association joined with the city and other sponsors to send volunteers across core neighbourhoods, picking up litter. A team of about 20 individuals represented the University.

Sarah Lau, a second-year digital journalism major, said the event made her feel proud of her community—especially given Friday’s wet weather.

“I wanted to stop complaining about litter and actually do something about it,” she said. “You see all these people out here in the rain, and I think it shows how dedicated they are.”

The local effort is part of the province-wide Pitch-in Program to raise awareness of the impacts of littering.