VALDOSTA – More than 65 volunteers participated in a community cleanup along Chester Street. 

Volunteers from Prince Hall Masonic Lodge 19, NAACP, Azalea City Women’s Club, Crossing Jordan Church, Valdosta Public Works, Valdosta State University, Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association and City of Valdosta Public Works staff partnered with District 1 Councilwoman Vivian Miller-Cody to clean up a resident’s yard.

Louise Postell has lived in her home for more than 30 years, and due to her age, she said she is unable to keep up her yard. 

“I am so grateful for the volunteers who came out to help clean up my front and back yard. It looks so nice and clear now. I can see past the shrubs,” Postell said.

City public works crews hauled 2,420 pounds (1.21 tons) of debris from the cleanup site, organizers said.

“Last week, I came out and met Ms. Louise. I knew she needed help with her yard so I reached out to the community to help us give back and be of service during the Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. With so many people being off this weekend what better way to celebrate the MLK Jr. holiday,” Miller-Cody said. “We all know one day we will get older and we will want someone to help us. I always like to think that if we serve all mankind, God will give us back blessings for what we have done for others.”