Volunteers work at keeping Hammond beautiful. 
The Lion's Roar/Larshell Green 

Members of the community spanning from the university to the city government all rolled up their sleeves in an effort to improve Hammond during Cleanup the City Day.

Cleanup the City Day was organized by the Keep Hammond Beautiful Committee and the City of Hammond. On Saturday, Sept. 24, volunteers met from 8-10 a.m. in North Oak Park. Students who participated received volunteer hours or fulfilled community service requirements for the activity.

President of Keep Hammond Beautiful Vic Couvillion was pleased with about 30 volunteers that showed up to participate in the monthly community service project.

According to Couvillion, prior to the organization’s creation about ten years ago, there was no one organizing litter elimination projects.

“In general, we are the voice for having a clean, beautiful city,” said Couvillion. “We’re trying to fill that void and to do what we can to make our community pleasing to the citizens.”

Members from the university organization Elite Women participated in the event for the first time after hearing about it from their President Krystal Monlyn.

Lauren Davis, a senior biology major attended the cleanup for the first time with her fellow Elite Women members to get involved in a local community service project.

“I wanted to give back to the community the way that the community supports the university,” said Davis.

Fellow member of Elite Women Carnisha Tassin, a senior communication major admitted that she has never done community service before and wanted to participate with her organization.

“I wanted to contribute and keep the community beautiful by helping out,” said Tassin.

Mayor of Hammond Pete Panepinto participated in the cleanup with employees of Home Depot and described the activity as being “good and healthy” for the city.

“It helps keep the community clean and gives people a sense of pride so that they may want to clean up their neighborhood as well,” said Panepinto.

As the retired Director of Student Publications, Couvillion recalls witnessing students emptying their ashtrays and throwing litter on the ground. He encourages all members of the campus and city community to consider the implications that litter can have on a city’s crime rate.

“If a neighborhood is run down, nobody cares, nobody picks up trash, people throw tires on the side of the road and crime follows, it’s a proven fact nationally,” said Couvillion. “If you have a nice, neat and clean community, it’s going to encourage good citizenship.”

Volunteers cleaned in Hammond at North Oaks Park, Corbin Road, North Richardson Street, Rosewood Drive, Iowa Street and the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum.

For more information about the Keep Hammond Beautiful Committee and Cleanup the City Day, call 985-277-5955. To report litter violations that occur in Hammond, call 985-277-5646.

Courvillion encourages all members of the community to be proactive and join Keep Hammond Beautiful. On the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., members meet at the City Council Chambers.

Volunteers work at keeping Hammond beautiful. 
The Lion's Roar/Larshell Green