"If you want the best, you have to try the best:" Annual Serve Your City Day aims to empower local residents

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Volunteers in Milwaukee are trying to take all of their neighborhood problems, and throw them away. It's part of the third Annual Serve Your City Day.

Every piece of litter Shanna Hickman picks up is helping to make a difference.

"We came out with five to six bags of trash already," says Hickman.

Hickman is one of 300 walking around the Clarke Square Neighborhood, volunteering time to empower residents who live here.

"For the kids to play in the trash and filth. That`s probably one of the biggest concerns to me," says Hickman.

For long-time residents, like Anthony Mercado, the trash in the streets cover a larger issue.

"I grew up in this neighborhood. I`m not afraid of anybody," says Mercado.

Three years ago, Mercado made a startling discovery while mowing his front lawn.

"I heard a noise.  I hit a 38 revolver with three bullets still in the gun itself," says Mercado.

Soon after, a group called Faith Builders got involved, and started to bring about change. Organizers established the now annual Serve Your City Day.

"They take pride in their neighborhood. They take pride in their houses," says Richard Schwoegler, organizer with Faith Builders.

By helping to foster ownership -- safer and cleaner, like we all want out neighborhoods to be.

"Our community is just like any other community.  If you want the best, you have to try the best," says Schwoegler.

Volunteers picked up in the Clarke Square and Walker's Point Neighborhoods. In total, they filled four dumpsters full of trash.