Hundreds of people volunteer to Clean Up Commerce

COMMERCE, Calif. (KABC) -- Hundreds of volunteers, including lots of teens, joined together to make a difference and took part in Clean Up Commerce.

Many took to the streets of Commerce armed with rakes and trash bags, determined to clean up their city.

The Commerce cleanup is spearheaded by Citadel Outlets. By volunteering, the young adults raise money for local organizations they are part of.

"We pick up any trash and we rake and we sweep, just to help beautify the city," said young volunteer Amanda Viesca.

The motivation behind Commerce Clean Up started with one building. Six years ago, it was covered in graffiti.

"There was a huge building totally covered in graffiti, and we just got tired of looking at it and said, 'Why does it have to be that way?'" said Steven Craig, owner of Citadel Outlets.

Craig worked with the city and got the community involved to help clean up.

Many of the volunteers have been coming back for years, getting valuable lessons in hard work, dedication and civic pride.

"I'm watching these kids grow up," Craig added. "They're taking a lot of what they learned - that work ethic, that civic pride that everybody hopes these kids have - and they're taking it with them."