Saturday, Friends of Boley hosted the annual creek cleanup event in hopes of beautifying the natural resource.

Over a ton of garbage was collected by 41 volunteers who traversed the creek on canoes from the section of the West Hobolochitto Creek from Long Bridge on Beech Street to the Burnt Bridge boat launch.

Friends of Boley Vice President Keith Kingrey said the turnout wasn’t what they expected.

“Normally we average 60 volunteers,” Kingrey said. “We need people to come out and start caring about our creek. We’ve noticed the city is enforcing $1,000 fines for littering but we want to see some enforcement for our waterways.”

Coast Electric sponsored this year’s event, which brought out various local organizations, including Friends of Boley members, the Picayune Civic Women’s Club, who provided breakfast, Boy Scout Troop Two and Cub Scout Pack Two.

“Hopefully this cleanup increases the fishing aspect here at the creek and brings life back to Picayune,” said Paul Kisela, Boy Scout Troop Two leader.

At the end of the cleanup, Kingrey awarded first-time volunteers Brandy Daughdrill, Tyler Daughdrill and Jim Charles with a Walmart gift card for collecting the largest item; a television set.

In the future, the organization plans on creating a walking trail alongside the creek to make it easily accessible for the community. Currently, they’re waiting to receive their non-profit 501c3 status, which will allow them to apply for and receive grants, Kingrey said.

“As we achieve that status, we’re going to be asking a lot from our volunteers. We should get the status by the end of the year and hopefully we’ll be bigger than ever next year,” Kingrey said.

The organization’s main goal is to garner appreciation for local ecosystems and help preserve waterways by keeping them clean.

“When you reconnect with nature, you get in touch with some of the beauty God has given us right in our backyard,” Kingrey said.