YELLOWKNIFE - The weather has not been kind to Yellowknife youth groups gathering trash in the city's annual Spring Clean Up.

Maud Robinson-Spence (left), Tamika Mulders, Alex Hinchey, and Natalie Murphy were out on Highway 3 Monday evening picking up trash to raise money for their Diamond Drillers 16-and-under girl's soccer. - photo courtesy of Markham Breitbach

"We were wrapping up when the snow started to come down," said Claudia Richea, one of approximately 20 members of the inter-generational cleaning crew combing the ditch near the Legislative Assembly this week.

They picked up the pace to keep warm and afterwards went for hot drinks at the home of one volunteer.

"We had drinks and the kids had treats. Because of the snow there was some coffee and tea."

Richea was with the Holy Family Lutheran Church group.

"I was surprised when I checked in with them that they went out," Pastor Steve Meysing joked.

Brian Kelln, program manager with community affairs for the city, said

The annual clean up "is about being out in the community and taking pride in it."

It also gives the participating groups an opportunity to raise money for their favorite projects.

The city doesn't tally the volume of trash collected, but Kelln said that as many as 40 garbage bags are collected from some areas.

Another part of the spring clean-up effort is a free pick-up of large items by the city, and amnesty days at the dump when disposal fees drop to a $5 flat rate.