More than 500 people took to the streets of Starkville Wednesday for the city”s seventh annual Get Swept Up event.
Donned in yellow T-shirts, dozens of groups spread out around town and picked up trash, pulled weeds, trimmed hedges and performed other odds and ends to help clean up the city in anticipation of Mississippi State University”s first home football game of the season, set to take place Saturday against the University of Memphis.
“Beautification is important to anything you love, and we love this community,” said Tasha Hill, special events coordinator for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and one of the organizers of the Get Swept Up event. “Whatever you love, you take care of.”
Hill was thrilled to see hundreds of volunteers throughout town, from high school and college students to employees of local businesses to everyday citizens.
“We are very pleased with the turnout,” Hill said. “It”s good to see this many people helping clean up our community.”
Among the volunteers were members of the Starkville Town and Country Garden Club, who spent much of their time picking weeds and trimming plants in the downtown area. The group also worked on a garden behind Starkville Cafe.
“We”re just trying to keep our town beautiful,” said Starkville Town and Country Garden Club member Bettie Cummings.
The Get Swept Up event was sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Mediagraphix Photography, Mississippi Community Action Team, Eat With Us, Prudential Starkville Properties, Spruill Property Management, Starkville Martial Arts Academy, Coldwell Banker, Comfort Suites, Shep”s Cleaners, Starkville Computers, Shopping-Bargains.com and The Book Mart and Cafe.
“While this event would not be possible without our volunteers, it also would not be possible without our sponsors,” said Allison Matthews, vice president of membership and community development at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
The GSDP is encouraging Starkville residents to clean up their properties, fly Mississippi State flags and take other measures to ensure the city is in top shape for the MSU football game this weekend.
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