The sixth semi-annual “Clean Up Slidell” citywide beautification day was held Saturday from 9 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.

The event, which takes place once in the fall and once in the spring, brings together hundreds of volunteers from various church groups, clubs and organizations around the city for three hours of city beautification.

Sponsored by the Keep Slidell Beautiful Committee, the cleanup gives locals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to grow closer as a community while removing litter from the streets of Slidell. Participants, who ranged in age from young children to senior citizens, donned orange vests and marched up and down the streets of town carrying black garbage bags and cleaning utensils. They picked up thousands of bottles, bags, papers, cigarette butts and other waste products.

Debi and Floyd Safford help clean up Gause Boulevard during the Slidell Clean Up Day Saturday. (Staff Photo by Jason Ervin)

At noon, all volunteers were invited to attend a celebration banquet in Heritage Park, where they were rewarded for their efforts with a nice meal and Keep Slidell Beautiful armbands. Participants in the “Clean Up Slidell” program were thanked by various Slidell residents throughout the day, including Bill Mauser, executive director of KSB, and Slidell Mayor Ben Morris.

“I am so proud of everyone who came out here today to try and make our city a better place,” said Morris. “It’s especially great to see so many kids here. I just want to thank everyone for doing their part to make Slidell as beautiful as it is.”

Prizes were distributed to those volunteer groups who recovered the most “interesting” items, as well as to those who simply brought back the most trash.

Since the “Clean Up Slidell” program was started, amounts of litter recovered have decreased significantly and excited and instilled a sense of pride in volunteers. But many were disappointed with the gargantuan amount of cigarette butts found in every nook and cranny of the city.

“I’ve never seen so many in my life,” cleanup volunteer Susan Lassalle said.

Morris recognized this and designated it as an area of city sanitation which needs improvement.

“It’s something we’ll have to work on. Unfortunately I am a smoker, but I keep my cigarette butts in the garbage where they belong. Hopefully others will as well,” Morris said.

All in all, the day was successful. Mauser was overwhelmed by the support of Slidell citizens and hopes to continue the program until it is no longer needed.

“It’s an honor to be part of such a caring community,” Mauser said. “Slidell is an amazing town, which just keeps growing and improving every day, in every way. It’s great to know we can really make a difference and make it the best it can be.”