The Mill Creek High School Key Club was recently recognized as Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful’s “Stash the Trash” winner for their efforts to beautify Little Mulberry Park.

Eight-five volunteers spent 255 hours picking up litter and removing privet from the park.

The award was one of several handed out by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (GCB) as part of their Great American Cleanup challenge.

According to a GCB press release, more than 15,000 people worked on 247 projects from March 15 through May 31 in an effort to beautify Gwinnett County. The volunteers collected over a million pounds of recyclables, removed more than 80,000 pounds of litter, painted a mile of fencing and cleaned up 195 miles of roadway.

“Thank you to this year’s winners and everyone that participated in the 2012 Great American Cleanup Gwinnett Challenge,” said Bartow Morgan, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Chair, in a released statement. “Your efforts show how much you care for our community. The difference you make every day ensures that Gwinnett is the best place to live, work, play and learn.”