LAPLACE — More than a hundred volunteers, including residents, community organizations, government agencies, churches, schools and businesses participated in the annual Spring Clean Sweep April 23, parish officials said.

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

Parish President Natalie Robottom and Keep St. John Beautiful Committee Chairman Za Maurin welcomed volunteers in the morning as they gathered at Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park on U.S. 51 in LaPlace to kick off the cleanup and gather supplies. Sheriff Mike Tregre and Judge Sterling Snowdy were also on hand, and the Lions Club added mulch to the landscaping.

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

The Clean Sweep committee assigned volunteers to major thoroughfares throughout the parish for clean-up, especially in tornado stricken areas.

“Clean Sweep is a great opportunity to lead by example and work together to make St. John a cleaner place to live and work,” Robottom said.

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

More than 50 trash bags were picked up, and volunteers returned to the park for jambalaya, drinks and fellowship.

Raising Cane’s of LaPlace and General Manager Peronous Clark co-sponsored the event, providing free tea, lemonade and achievement awards to participants.

The store also gave out free box combo cards for Raising Cane’s.

For anti-littering tips and efforts, visit “Keep America Beautiful” at akab.org.