STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - It's hard to resist the urge to sleep in on Saturday morning, but that's just what almost a hundred students in Starkville did Saturday.
They went to work by volunteering their time and services on a massive cleanup project.
The Maroon Volunteers are students who choose to make a positive difference in their community.
Dozens of college and high school students worked together Saturday morning on a project entitled "Make a Difference Day" where students volunteered to clean up popular attractions in Starkville.
"[I] spent most of my time at [the] parks," says Janice Cunningham, volunteer. "I think it's important that the kids especially here in Starkville have somewhere to do the same thing in a clean environment where they are free from hurting themselves."
Volunteers say having a clean park can go a long way when it comes making a good impression.
"Having a beautiful park in your hometown is very important," adds Katilyn O'Quinn, volunteer. "I feel like, for kids who don't have a backyard to go play, in a safe environment [where they can] meet new kids and just have fun."
The main reason why the Maroon Volunteer Center chooses to come to parks is not only to sanitize it and make it clean for children, but also make it much safer.
Volunteers have picked up bullets, cigarettes and all kinds of garbage that is not suitable for children to encounter when enjoying a day in the park.
"We chose parks mainly because kids come out here and we see trash and also leaves from trees laying around," adds Darius Mangum, student leader organizer. "We just want to clean it up."
Parents who bring their children to the parks are the ones who are most appreciative of the students who are making a positive difference.
"My girls love to play on the playground here," added Doug Gillham, parent. "It's great to know that it's safe, it's clean and it's been sanitized.
It's good to know that I can bring my kids here and have a safe, clean time."
Now besides the parks the volunteers also went to a nursing center and a school to help clean up the grounds.
