Indianapolis, Indiana – This Saturday, April 26, the University of Indianapolis will hold its annual Great UIndy Cleanup, aiming to bring new life to both the university campus and the neighboring University Heights community. Organized by the University’s Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is already drawing a strong crowd. More than 100 volunteers have signed up, and the number is still growing.
The goal of the event is simple but powerful—make the neighborhood cleaner, greener and more inviting. Volunteers, including students, faculty, staff, and local residents, will roll up their sleeves to pick up trash, do some gardening, and remove invasive plant species from the area. Other activities will stretch beyond beautification efforts, as several teams work on service projects for vulnerable populations across the city.
“Events like the Great UIndy Cleanup are key to maintaining engagement with our communities and building meaningful and reciprocal relationships,” said Marianna Foulkrod, director of the Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement. “We look forward to the opportunity to serve alongside our amazing community partners, neighborhood residents, students, faculty and staff, as well as their families, to celebrate our community and our togetherness through service.”
Beyond the cleanup itself, the event will include hands-on service projects that aim to help those facing difficult circumstances. These include making sleeping blankets for people experiencing homelessness, crafting dog toys out of recycled materials for animal shelters, and enhancing outdoor spaces for Joy’s House, which supports adults with life-altering diagnoses.
The event is a true collaboration, supported by a long list of partners such as the city of Indianapolis, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Marion County Public Health, University Heights Methodist Church, Crop Hunger Inc., Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and the University Heights Neighborhood Association. Several departments from UIndy will also participate, including Student Affairs, Athletics, Facilities, the Office of Inclusive Excellence & Retention Strategy, and the university’s garden program.
Volunteers are encouraged to gather at 10 a.m. on Smith Mall, near the canal and Esch Hall, where the day’s efforts will begin. Everyone who registers ahead of time will receive a free t-shirt and lunch, and be invited to a festive block party once the work is complete. Participants should dress for outdoor activity, wear comfortable shoes, and bring gloves if possible. Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the event to keep everyone refreshed and energized.
The Great UIndy Cleanup is a signature example of the University of Indianapolis’s long-standing motto: “Education for Service.” This guiding principle inspires students not only to learn in the classroom but also to lead in their communities through active civic engagement.
The event isn’t just about pulling weeds or picking up litter. It’s about building stronger relationships between the university and its neighbors. It’s about students learning firsthand what it means to serve. And it’s about reminding everyone involved that real change often begins with small, hands-on efforts.
Members of the media are also invited to attend and cover the event. For those looking to arrange interviews or acquire photos, UIndy’s Director of Public & Media Relations, Dan Klein, is the contact person.
With the energy and commitment that’s already building, the Great UIndy Cleanup promises to be more than just a spring cleaning—it’s a statement of shared responsibility and pride in the community.
