A group of volunteers met Sunday at The Kewanee Voice office to pick up downtown trash. The event was organized by Zoey Carter, who is running for a seat in the Illinois House District 93. [Photos by Susan DeVilder]

The downtown area looked a little tidier Monday after about a dozen volunteers met Sunday with Zoey Carter at The Kewanee Voice office to pick up trash.

Carter, who is from Pekin and running as an independent for Illinois House District 93, organized the cleanup and provided supplies and refreshments. Working in small groups, volunteers fanned out to cover about five square blocks downtown, including the train station, the alleyway and Berrien Park.

In total, the group collected about six bags of trash.

Zoey Carter took a few minutes to tell the volunteers what she hopes to be able to accomplish as an Illinois lawmaker.

Carter said she plans to hold similar cleanups in other communities and said events such as the cleanup helps her connect with residents and voters she hopes to serve.

Zoey Carter pitched in on Sunday to help beautify the downtown. Picking up cigarette butts was the group’s biggest task.

She told volunteers she is running to be their next state representative to give residents in Kewanee, Elmwood, Glasford and Pekin — and across the 93rd District — leadership that cares about the issues that concern them.