A community clean up effort goes this Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ontario College system.

Northern College and College Boreal are both leading the event from 10am to noon, aiming to “enhance Timmins’ natural beauty and to strengthen relationships between institutions while giving back to the community.”

Boreal Program Manager Melanie Dufresne says they have four different routes to clean up, mostly along Gillies Lake, but also extending along the trail on Highway 655 and towards the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.

“We have about 40 plus volunteers that are going to be on site and four teams,” says , “Each team is comprised of both employees and volunteers from (the two colleges).”

She says while there are different teams, it’s not in the name of competition per say. It’s more just a collective effort for the greater good.

Northern College’s Campus Manager—and Chamber of Commerce President—Christine Bender says they’re really excited to be working with their fellow institution.

She says this was a great opportunity to work together in a practical manner.

“We’ve done a lot of events this past year with the full effort in mind is to making sure that the community is aware that we want to support the community in a variety of ways,” she said.

“As well as of course, to encourage students to come to the colleges and to stay in our community.”

Mayor Steve Black was also on hand. He says we couldn’t have two better partners than Boreal and Northern.

“Both work really well within our community to try and strategically plan their courses and the students’ development, along with the industry and community business partners in Northern Ontario,” he said.

“It’s great to see them out and about in our community giving back a little bit.”

Dufresne says a community BBQ will finish it off between 12-1pm, and invites the entire community to come out.

“We’re going to have some tents, some giveaways and of course, some information about both colleges and the programs that we deliver.”

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