Thursday, five employees from the Naval Oceanographic Office at John C. Stennis Space Center donated their time to help clean up around the Crosby Arboretum in Picayune.
Petty Officer Jennifer Eberle said she heard about the opportunity to help out around the Arboretum from some of the other enlisted personnel who had done it in previous years.
Each quarter, staff at NAVOCEANO donate their time to some worthy cause in the community. Eberle said the opportunity to help out around the arboretum sounded like a nice change of pace.
Their day-to-day jobs have them in an office looking at computer screens, so the chance to work outside sounded like fun, she said.
During their day at the arboretum, the volunteers helped clear the main road by cutting overgrown branches and did some raking.
“We made it look pretty,” Eberle said of the road.
She said employees at NAVOCEANO have the ability to pick any type of volunteer service, but after Thursday’s experience they intend to come back to the arboretum. And next time, Eberle said she intends to bring even more help.
Ensign Meridith Ansley said previous volunteer efforts also involved judging science fairs. But Ansley found working at the arboretum to be a pleasant experience.
Arboretum employee Kim Johnson said she appreciates the hard work the volunteers put in.
“It helps us out a lot,” Johnson said.