Volunteers from Georgia clean South Mississippi waterways - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

A group of volunteers from Georgia took off work, loaded up their kayaks and launched in South Mississippi to help clean the waterways. They paddled down the bayou pulling trash from trees and headed into the marshes gathering bags of garbage.

"We just felt compelled to come here and help out after Hurricane Isaac," Jason Dupont said.

Dupont and the others are also very passionate about preserving the environment and keeping the waterways clean.

"We believe in what we are doing and trying to get the word out about the awareness of the repercussions on it can have on environment or wildlife," Dupont said.

Cassidy Knotts drove from Athens, Georgia to do her part.

"We need to preserve it for ourselves and the future generations," Knotts said.

Coastal Rivers is a local organization that also pitched in to help. Founder Jeff Wilkinson rounded up volunteers and boats to ride alongside and collect garbage.

"When visitors come here, whether it's to take a kayak, paddle or motor boat tour, it's important we make a good positive impression on them because it helps us economically here," Wilkinson said. "So there are some environmental issues and economic issues that can be helped by keeping a cleaner environment."

Wilkinson said he's extremely touched the volunteers drove several hours just to lend a hand.

"It renews your faith in people to see of people give of their time that way," Wilkinson said.

But those helping just say it is what anyone would do.

"I believe that if Georgia was impacted, that the people of Mississippi would load up in a minute and help us," Dupont said.

If you would like to help clean up, the group is launching at Gautier City Park Saturday at 9am. They say even if you do not have a boat you can ride along with someone else.

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