Youth around El Dorado took to the streets, the ditches and the sidewalk Monday to give back to the community and fill up a few trash bags.
Students with the YAS (Young Artists Studio) as well as members of the El Dorado High School basketball team participated in the clean-up.
YAS director Stephanie Owens, who led her group in a clean-up of the neighborhood surrounding Mattocks Park, said the experience is a positive one for the kids.
“It helps them understand the importance of giving back to the community,” Owens said.
The students seemed to agree.
“It’s actually fun, and different. It’s not hard or anything, it’s just to give back,” YAS member and EHS student Kayla said.
MLK Community Clean-Up organizer Shemekia Morgan said the idea was born from a desire to get the youth of El Dorado involved.
“It started with me wanting the kids in the community to do something on MLK Day, to get out and give to the community,” Morgan said.
Community involvement is far-ranging, Morgan said, and helps make the event possible.
“When I organized it, I reached out to different community groups and churches. I have some parents and friends as volunteers. Delek sponsored the food this year, so that was a big help,” Morgan said.
Morgan said the initial inspiration for the clean-up sprang from her own involvement in the community.
“I used to be a youth director at a church here and we used to clean up on MLK Day in front of our church. So, from there, I just decided to open it up to the community,” Morgan said.
Morgan emphasized that several high school seniors were among the participants.
“This will probably be their last year doing it, so I just want to shout them out,” she said.
The clean-up started at 10 a.m. at St. John Baptist Church, according to a flyer for the event.