FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 14, 2015) -- Participants in this year's Help the Hooch collected cans, bottles, tires and other trash from the land and waterways across Fort Benning Oct. 8.

Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Outdoor Recreation and the Fort Benning Environmental Management Division partnered for the cleanup, where more than 100 volunteers met at Russ Pond before dividing into teams and cleaning various locations, including Tiger Creek, Uchee Creek, Twilight Pond and the Pet Cemetery.

Jessica Loughman, FBEMD watershed specialist and event co-coordinator, said the event is a twofold mission: to clean the local environment, and educate volunteers and passersby on how to take care of their surroundings.

"Help the Hooch was an initiative that started over 20 years ago, with Fort Benning joining in 16 years ago," Loughman said. "And since its inception, we have seen hundreds of volunteers come to help and make a real impact on our environment.

Loughman said the types of trash collected has changed over the years.

"We originally had lots of hazardous waste and large items like tires, cleaning products and televisions, but as the years have progressed we rarely find those items. Fort Benning started the hazardous waste turn-in day three years ago and we think it's made a significant difference," she said.

Students from Faith Middle School took part in the event, helping to clean the Uchee Creek watershed and surrounding areas.

"We really like getting to come help because a lot of us are in the environmental club, and it's fun to know that we are helping to protect the very things we study," said Jon Nole, Faith student.

At the end of the cleanup, volunteers were treated to a "thank you" lunch and given T-shirts at Russ Pond.

"Public involvement is very important to this endeavor, and it's great that so many people take time out of their days to help with cleanup," said Bryan Victor, watershed technician with FBEMD.

For more information about Help the Hooch, visit www.benningmwr.com.