Long Beach, Miss., Site of 2008 Great American Cleanup Hurricane Katrina Restoration Project

Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup teamed up with Keep Mississippi Beautiful/PAL, the City of Long Beach, Miss., Keep Harrison County Beautiful and the Long Beach Port Commission to rejuvenate four

A volunteer helps construct a gazebo. Everett Bass of Great American Cleanup national sponsor Waste Management. Volunteers green up Long Beach parks.

sites in Long Beach that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Hundreds of volunteers assembled in Long Beach on March 11 for the 2008 Great American Cleanup Hurricane Katrina Restoration Project. This initiative was part of the national Great American Cleanup campaign led by Keep America Beautiful.  Activities included removing litter and debris, planting flowers and trees, building gazebos, picnic tables and park benches, and greening up parks and playgrounds along the Long Beach Harbor, at the War Memorial and South Forest parks, and at Reeves Elementary School. 

Long Beach Mayor William Skellie, Jr., was among the many dignitaries on hand to participate in the restoration project, along with local church and school groups and a wide range of volunteers from all walks of life. The Gulfport Department of Leisure Services, Mississippi Power, Junk'd TV's Brad Hauter, the Long Beach Park & Recreation Department, and Great American Cleanup national sponsors were among those engaged in planning the park improvement and many were there to lend a helping hand prior to, during and after the the event. In addition, Henry C. Lozano, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, USA Freedom Corps, was present representing Great American Cleanup Honorary Chairs, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

The Long Beach restoration project was the third such Keep America Beautiful project on the Gulf Coast. The Great American Cleanup coordinated restoration projects in Biloxi in 2006 and Gulfport in 2007 with local affiliates Keep Mississippi Beautiful/PAL, under the leadership of Barbara Dorr, and Keep Harrison County Beautiful, and its executive director Cindy Simmons.

"Keep America Beautiful has been extremely impressed with the personal commitment you’re making today to support Mayor Skellie with the revitalization of Long Beach Harbor, the War Memorial Park, South Forest Park and the Reeves Elementary School," said Keep America Beautiful President & CEO Matt McKenna. "It’s this type of civic leadership and volunteer enthusiasm that contributes to KAB’s ability to help communities in need with Great American Cleanup programs such as this restoration project."