LAPLACE — More than a hundred volunteers including residents, community organizations, government agencies, churches, schools and businesses participated in Saturday’s annual Spring Clean Sweep.

The event is organized bi-annually by St. John the Baptist Parish officials and Keep St. John Beautiful Committee members to promote community beautification.

Parish President Natalie Robottom and Keep St. John Beautiful Committee Chairman Za Maurin welcomed volunteers as they gathered at Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park to kick off the cleanup and gather supplies.

All participants received garbage bags, gloves, T-shirts, masks and trash clamps in support of the efforts.

The Clean Sweep committee also assigned volunteers to major thoroughfares throughout the parish for cleanup if they had not chosen an area for cleanup.

More than 50 trash bags were picked up, and volunteers returned to the park for jambalaya, drinks and merriment to celebrate a great day.

Organizers said a special thanks goes to the fire department and sheriff’s office for keeping close watch on volunteers as they cleaned up.

“It is important to lead anti-littering efforts every day and make community cleanliness a habit,” Robottom said.

For anti-littering tips and efforts, visit the Keep America Beautiful website at kab.org.

The Parish recycle yard, located at 1801 W. Airline Highway behind the Percy Hebert Building, is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Recycle bins are also located at the Edgard courthouse, Garyville Service Center, Health and Human Services Office, St. Andrews Fire Station and Pleasure Bend Fire Station.

— Submitted by St. John Communications.