NATCHEZ — Between 90 and 100 volunteers made up of students and Adams County Master Gardeners showed up at Duncan Park in Natchez Saturday to tidy up the place.

Adams County Extension Agent David Carter said he was impressed by the large turnout.

“I am overwhelmed with the amount we got done today,” Carter said. “It’s one of those things that shows the community spirit of Natchez.”

Carter said one 16-foot trailer after another hauled debris to the dump.

“With a project like this, everyone wins all around,” Carter said. “The goal is to teach kids to give back. Coach Ron Rushing teaches kids football, but he also teaches them how to make a significant contribution to the community.”

Carter bragged on the master gardeners who accepted and embraced the project.

“They do things year-round like this, and it really make an impact.”

Cathedral High School football coach Ron Rushing brought 57 students to the park for clean-up day.

What started out as just a community service project for the football team expanded to the rest of the school.

“It’s turned into a little bit of everybody,” Rushing said. “Football and basketball players, and kids who aren’t even involved in sports. They just wanted to participate.

“The community has been so supportive of our school and that’s very valuable to us,” Rushing said. “This is our kids’ way to give back.”

Cathedral High School junior Daniel Huffines, who plays football and baseball, echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“This community is one of the best fan-bases for the high school,” Huffines said. “They support us, so we are returning the favor.”

Huffines said the students trimmed trees, raked and bagged leaves and took limbs to the dump.

“It looks pretty tidy now,” he said.