The spring rain did not deter hundreds of students from participating in Rock the Block Saturday.
"I still wanted to come out even though it's raining; it's just water," said Jared Klein, a junior in psychology and site leader for Rock the Block.
The single-day community service event is planned and organized by Undergraduate Student Government. Rock the Block also served as the kick-off to Greek Week.
Participants gathered at the Wexner Center Plaza and waited eagerly to be released to their service sites.
While waiting, students were entertained by a live DJ and an appearance by Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee.
According to USG president Peter Koltak, this year's Rock the Block focused on beautifying the campus area.
"We are trying to bring some of the off-campus areas to the standards they deserve," Koltak said. "It reminds people to take pride in our community."
Lynanne Wolf-Sabatino, project coordinator for Rock the Block, said focusing on the university area was a response to the university's efforts to improve the off-campus area.
"It has been a priority of the university for students to take pride in this area," she said.
Sixty of the 88 service sites were clean up sites through Keep Columbus Beautiful.
"We were very pleased with how the university looked ... we are very proud of our work," Wolf-Sabatino said.
After a year of planning, Rock the Block was able to place more than 1,200 students at service sites.
Students were sent to a variety of campus areas to help with projects, including picking up trash and helping with landscaping.
Koltak also said USG put more resources into this year's Rock the Block.
"We were able to spend more of our own money this year," he said. USG budgeted $20,000 dollars for the event.
Koltak also said he hopes cleaning up the campus area will inspire students to keep it clean.
Will Merritt, a freshman in finance, said he participated in Rock the Block for the community service experience and to spend time with his friends. Volunteers had the option of ending the day with a barbecue.
"I like the idea of making a difference, and doing community service," Klein said.
Nicole Staples can be reached at staples.25@osu.edu.
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