NIU fraternities are trying to make DeKalb a little cleaner.

A contract was voted on and signed Jan. 28, 2008, that confirmed Alpha Phi Alpha adopted the 1.1 mile stretch of Annie Glidden Road between Scenic Drive and West Lincoln Highway.

Charles Gardner, president of the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, said they decided to volunteer their time to clean up Annie Glidden Road to benefit the community.

“We adopted the street to show the school and the community that we care about the area that we live in and that we are here to make it better for all that live in DeKalb,” Gardner said.

Gardner said they will clean the street as mandated by the city. The city will provide the materials and training for the cleanup.

“The Adopt-A-Street Program mandates that the group adopting a street must clean that area four times a year,” Gardner said. “The city will provide the cost of the materials as well as the disposal of trash, and we will provide the man power.”

Tom Heneghan, coed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega president, said it is important to show the community that NIU students care.

“It’s great that Alpha Phi Alpha did that because it’s a great way to show the community that we, as college students, care and take the time out of our schedules to clean up areas that people see,” he said.

Heneghan said participating in projects like these shows the community that fraternities are trying to help.

“Not to mention that when people see plaques with names of college organizations and fraternities, they see that we are trying to make a difference,” Heneghan said. “I feel this puts us in the positive light that we should be in.”

Alpha Phi Omega has adopted stretches of two roads since spring 2007.

“We have Peace Road between Route 64 and Freed road,” said Alpha Phi Omega member Mike Gillespie. “We also have Malta Road between Rich [Road] and 64.”

Rick Monas, Director of City of DeKalb Public Works, said the adoption of Annie Glidden Road provides yet another link between NIU students and the community of DeKalb.

“It’s a clear indication of Alpha Phi Alpha’s dedication to bettering the community,” Monas said. “It’s just another public service with no expense to the citizens.”