OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – Muscogee Creek Nation Environmental Services and volunteers from around the community gathered to pick up trash and fellowship. The group cleaned up trash along Loop 56, starting at the College of the Muscogee Nation and ending at the Tribal Complex. The event was partnered with the MCN Lighthorse Police Department and the Okmulgee Conservation District.
Event participants involved volunteers from the community and volunteers from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Registration began at the MCN Tribal Executive Building canopy. Event organizers and volunteers were then shuttled to the College of the Muscogee Nation to start their route. Those working the event braved blustery weather conditions along the elevated highway shoulders.
Organizers were careful with volunteer safety. MCN Lighthorse police escorted the event with emergency vehicles, encouraging cars to slow down along the clean-up route. Volunteers were given large garbage bags and gloves to collect trash.
The Community Clean-Up is not the only event where the Okmulgee Conservation District partners with MCN. Jennifer Bailey is the Okmulgee Conservation District Director. Bailey leads a small team that helps with conservation efforts in the area. “They supply the resources, we supply the food for the pickup, they also help with our natural resource days,” Bailey said.
Natural resource days involve all fifth graders from Okmulgee County. MCN Environmental Services helps with natural resource days by providing recycling education.
Although the event saw fewer volunteers compared to previous years, event organizers were happy to see volunteers come out to donate their service and support the cause.
When asked what her favorite part about community events are, Bailey said networking. “You find different things, different departments and what they do, it’s interesting. We can all help one another.”
Volunteer Jessica Young believes volunteer events are important because they help keep the community clean and look good. Young’s group found debris that included glass, wood and even tools.
Another volunteer, Esther Gee, said her son encouraged her to get involved and give back to the community. “I believe in being environmentally conscious,” Gee said. “We need to keep taking care of our environment for our children, for our grandchildren.”
After their clean-up route was complete, event participants met at the MCN Recycling Center for a cookout of hamburgers and hotdogs. MCN Environmental Services also gave out door prizes.
