A small group of people in small-town Louisiana has made a big difference fast.

The ladies of the Ferriday Garden Club decided last year to clean up their town. After two years of adding partners, organizing cleanup days and asking local leaders for help, Ferriday has earned the title of cleanest city in its district.

Now the town is going for the state title.

While work continues for the state judging on April 27, we hope these ladies and the entire Town of Ferriday are taking some time to celebrate.

The selfless persistence of the ladies throughout that this was not about the Ferriday Garden Club, but instead about Ferriday, reminds us all that community matters.

Each helping hand makes a difference, and a little organization goes a long way.

Keeping Ferriday clean will be no easy task, and residents should be reminded that the road to permanent town beautification is a never-ending one.

Work must continue, and more troops must be rallied.

But at least for a minute, Ferriday deserves a round of applause, a pat on the back and an oversized blue ribbon. Congratulations to all those who made the cleanest city title a reality. Good luck at state!