MEMPHIS, Tenn. --- More than 50 groups across the City of Memphis gathered to own their blocks and clean up the streets in their neighborhoods Saturday.

This comes after the mayor sent out a newsletter discussing how the incoming National Guard could be used to aid in beautification efforts.

"We decided to own our block and that's what we're doing now," said Eureka Pickett, executive director of Stone Community Development Corporation.

Pickett and a few of her neighbors spent their morning cleaning up their South Memphis neighborhood.

"Even from the cigarette butts to a can or something being thrown out the window, it just breaks my heart when I see that," she said.

They are just one of the dozens of groups across the City of Memphis participating in the city-wide clean-up initiative

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