2010 Great American Cleanup Revitalizes Gulf Coast Town of Pass Christian, Miss., at National Event

Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron was joined by numerous state and local officials and nearly 400 volunteers for the Great American Cleanup Gulf Coast revitalization project in Pass Christian, Miss., on Saturday, March 27.

Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Matt McKenna presented a President's Volunteer Service Award for lifetime service to Pass Christian resident W. Dayton Robinson as just one of many highlights of the morning kickoff rally. The rally also featured musical selections by the Pass Christian Middle and High School as well as an uplifting rendition of the national anthem by Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron and rousing gospel and blues songs by the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church and recording artist Davis Coen, respectively.

Volunteers from DePauw University beautify Pass Christian's West Harbor at the Mississippi kickoff.

Wood sculptor Marlin Miller transforming a dead tree into a parrot as part of his Katrina Sculpture Project.

Prior to introducing Pass Christian Mayor Chipper McDermott, Keep America Beautiful Senior Vice President and Great American Cleanup Managing Director Gail Cunningham reflected on KAB's post-Hurricane Katrina renewal efforts during the past five years in cities and towns along the Gulf Coast. Mayor McDermott, in turn, introduced Mayor A.J. Holloway of Biloxi, Mayor George Schloegel of Gulfport, Mayor Billy Skellie of Long Beach and Mayor Tommy Longo of Waveland, who all spoke about how each of the Great American Cleanup projects affected their communities.

Others joining in the kickoff ceremonies included Marlin Ladner, Harrison County Board of Supervisors - District 3; Connie Rockco, president of the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, who sang the Keep America Beautiful song; Patsy Tollison, the Board Chair of Keep Mississippi Beautiful/PAL as well as Barbara Dorr, executive director of Keep Mississippi Beautiful/PAL. Pass Christian Alderwoman Renee Brooks and Keep Harrison County Beautification Commission Director Jolie Spiers recruited volunteers and coordinated the day's activities.

Volunteers came from far and wide, including Gulfport's Keesler Air Force Base's 332nd Training Squadron; students on spring break from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. and Auburn University in Alabama; and AmeriCorps volunteers from the area. Local volunteers came from organizations such as the Pass Christian Garden Club, Pass Christian's High School and Boy Scout Troup 316, Mississippi Power, Mississippi Department of Transportion, and local representatives from Great American Cleanup National Sponsors' Troy-Bilt® Lawn and Garden Equipment as well as Waste Management. National Sponsors of the 2010 Great American Cleanup that were featured or exhibited at the West Side Harbor included Nestlé^® Pure Life^® Purified Water, o.b.^® tampons and Troy-Bilt^® Lawn and Garden Equipment.

There were nine primary sites from one end of Pass Christian to the other in which projects took place. The West Harbor was thoroughly landscaped with fresh sod and azaleas being laid and planted in just one day. At the War Memorial Park, Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron worked with the airmen of Keesler Air Force Base to plant azaleas and mulch around the gazebo and throughout the park. The refreshed park was taken full advantage of later in the day, as a wedding was conducted at that site.

Other activities included new plantings and a gazebo was being installed at the Randolph Senior Center; trash cans were painted at the Boys & Girls Club; a gazebo and bridge were constructed at the new public library; and yet another gazebo, new flowers, fencing and bushes were installed at Friendship Park.

The Pass Christian event was an inspiring addition to the amazing revival that this town, among others along the Gulf Coast, has gone through since Hurricane Katrina hit the coast in 2005. The spirit of the townspeople is intact, however, with great contributions from families and local businesses helping the cause.