UOlivet Students Volunteer for Fall Clean-Up Service Day at Bellevue Conservation Club

BELLEVUE, Mich. -- The University of Olivet clay target team traded shotguns for shovels on Wednesday, September 24, as they partnered with Bellevue Conservation Club for the annual Fall Clean-Up Service Day. Fourteen students rolled up their sleeves to help prepare the club for the upcoming season, taking part in a wide range of cleanup and maintenance projects around the facility.

The day's work included picking up trash, cleaning gutters, sweeping and mopping the clubhouse floor, filling clay target machines, cleaning out skeet houses, picking up hulls, and edging trap lines. With teamwork, good energy, and a lot of laughs, the group made quick progress on the club's fall to-do list.

After the work was complete, everyone gathered inside the clubhouse to share a well-deserved pizza lunch from Boondocks, a local favorite. The afternoon also included a fun introduction to the sport of clay target shooting for several University of Olivet students who had volunteered — some of whom had never shot a shotgun before. Members of the team took them out to the skeet field for a quick lesson and then let them shoot a few birds, turning the clean-up day into both a community service and a hands-on learning experience.

"Bellevue Conservation Club is a volunteer-run club, so having the students come out and help us to get some of these projects knocked off our to-do list is a big help!" said Cathy Fitzner, Bellevue Conservation Club Board Member. "We really enjoy being the host club to The University of Olivet clay target Team, and it's wonderful to see them be part of our community and willing to give back!"

Coach Ponch Wildman also shared his appreciation for the group's enthusiasm and teamwork. "It was great to be joined by students that weren't on the team this year! They were a big help, and it's always a great time when we can share the sport we love with others."

The event highlighted the strong partnership between The University of Olivet and Bellevue Conservation Club, showcasing the spirit of community engagement, volunteerism, and sportsmanship that defines the Comet experience — both on and off the field.