Sailors, civilians and family members from Naval Station Everett volunteered to clean up the property of an Everett citizen Jan. 30.

The volunteers worked with Code Enforcement Officer, Spring Wathen, from the Everett Police Department to remove overgrown vegetation from a property in violation of City of Everett property maintenance codes. The elderly homeowner is unable to maintain the yard.

“As a code enforcement officer, I respond to complaints about overgrown vegetation on properties, and if the owner can’t get the problem resolved due to a hardship, I try to get them help,” Wathen said.

Volunteers worked in the rain to clear shrubs away from pedestrian paths and cut down tall grass and trees encroaching telephone polls.

“It really means a lot to have the Navy help,” said Traci Youmans, Code Unit administrative assistant. “This is the first time we’ve asked the Navy for help, but there is already another project in the works for next month.”

Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Anthony Battista, NAVSTA Everett volunteer coordinator, organized the workers for the clean up.

“We had great support from our volunteers,” he said. “They had a lot of fun and are looking forward to the next project.”

Rhiley Ethridge, wife of Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Charles Ethridge from NAVSTA Everett, volunteered to help.

“I can’t be in the military, so any chance I get to help, I take it,” she said. “I’ve always been patriotic and volunteering is a great way to show that.”