DePaul University students visited the Austin community last Saturday to volunteer and learn about gardening from the Austin Green Team. President Mary Peery is currently hospitalized, but from her hospital bed wanted to make sure the students’ visit would be beneficial to everyone.
The 18 college students split into two groups; one group working at 4900 West End with Green Team members, Ellen Newcomer and Bennie Meeks. The West End garden is named after Rickey McMorris. The pre-teen was killed by a hit-and-run driver several years ago.
The other DePaul group worked with team member Vera Watson at 5200 W. Fulton. According to the students, about 1200 DePaul students, faculty and alumni were participating in similar service projects throughout Chicago.
Some are participating for extra class credit while others are volunteering in the city to give back. Green Team member Maxine Creightney, a library assistant at DePaul, has invited students for the last two years to come to Austin and get their gardening experience.
Delores McCain
