VOLUNTEERS TO CLEAN UP STOCKLEY CENTER TRAILS AND GROUNDS AS PART OF DELAWARE WEEK OF SERVICE

NEW CASTLE (April 13, 2015) - As part of the Delaware Week of Service April 12-18, volunteers will clean up trails and the grounds at the Stockley Center near Georgetown on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, April 17, Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf and Stockley Collaborative Chair John Hollis will join volunteers from 1-3 p.m. in a clean-up of the sand trails at the Stockley Center.

Volunteers will rake debris to the side of the trail, and use shovels to level the trail and fill in any potholes. Interested volunteers from the community will need to bring their own rakes, shovels and work gloves. Campus signs will direct volunteers where to park. Chiggers and ticks are plentiful in in the wooded area, so volunteers are reminded to wear rubber boots with pant legs tucked in and long-sleeved shirts or jackets.

On Saturday afternoon, April 18, Hollis will lead student volunteers in an afternoon clean-up of the Stockley Center grounds. About 20 to 30 students will do general clean-up and weed flower beds around the therapy pool, chapel and the Sussex County Potter's Field at the back of the Stockley Center grounds.

"Volunteers are the cornerstones to building stronger communities in our state," said Secretary Landgraf, whose department includes the State Office of Volunteerism. "I am excited that they will join us in cleaning up the trails and the grounds of the Stockley Center as we take the next steps toward including the community in more activities here."

As Chair of the Stockley Collaborative, which is working to expand the uses of the Stockley Center, Hollis said involving young people is another critical step forward. "Our young leaders are a tremendous asset to our community," Hollis said. "It is important to involve them at the Stockley Center and to help build their understanding of the Stockley Center as an asset to Sussex County and the rest of the state."

The Delaware Week of Service expands on the weekend of service that Gov. Jack Markell and his wife, Carla, first hosted in January 2009 in lieu of the traditional Inaugural Ball. Since then, the Markells have hosted an annual Week of Service each April.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities in Delaware and other Delaware Week of Service events, go to VolunteerDelaware.org

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.