Volunteers met on a cold Saturday morning on April 20 at the Candlewood Suites on Richmond Highway to begin the annual “Spring Clean” of Richmond Highway that collected more than 70 bags of trash.

Organized jointly by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce and Fort

Belvoir Installation Command, the event involved volunteers from throughout the community.

“The chamber of commerce is not only business minded, we’re community minded as well,” said Holly Dougherty, chamber executive director. “We care about the appearance of our community and the image it promotes.”

Volunteers were greeted by Fort Belvoir Commander Col. Greg Gadson who thanked the volunteers for working with Fort Belvoir to promote a clean community. “It’s not just Fort Belvoir or the chamber trying to make a better community. It’s all of us working together,” Gadson said.

Partnering organizations were the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Mount Vernon High School football team, and the Inlet Cove Home Owners Association.

Candlewood Suites Hotel sponsored lunch for the volunteers, a carwash, and games with $650 being donated to the Fischer House on Fort Belvoir.