In the midst of this season of giving, perhaps the greatest need in our community has nothing to do with spending dollars, but rather our energy.

Arguably our city and county’s greatest asset, the Vicksburg National Military Park, is hosting a community service event on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The AmeriCorps Crew River 5 Team will be assisting.

The event is meant to draw volunteers from the community and, along with the help of the AmeriCorps team, remove a privet, which is a collection of an invasive flowering plant species.

Molly Cadwell, volunteer coordinator for the park, said the plants are not from this area and are crowding out other native plants at the park.

Some of the work will likely require some elbow grease. However, we’re certain there will be jobs aplenty for anyone who wishes to help.

The event is a way for you to connect with your community and its national park. And, it’s a great way to introduce younger community members about service, and about AmeriCorps. It’s also a way to get to know the AmeriCorps members who are in our community, and learn a little more about the AmeriCorps program itself.

An AmeriCorps training center is located in Vicksburg, but those AmeriCorps members typically take off for other areas after their training is complete. Saturday’s work day at the VNMP will allow community members to get to know the volunteers and more about the organization.

If you wish to participate, the park asks that you bring your own water bottle and wear pants, a long-sleeve shirt and work boots or sneakers. She said the work is expected to be a dirty job, and with recent rains, volunteers can expect to get muddy.

Volunteers will be provided with training, safety equipment and tools. Meet at the maintenance building, which is located down the tour road and then left on the service road.

The event will be cancelled if it’s raining.

Volunteers under 18 must receive permission from a legal guardian. To register to volunteer or for more information, call Cadwell at 601-629-8133 or email her at molly_cadwell@partner.nps.gov.

What better way to give this season than to lend a helping hand at the Vicksburg National Military Park? What a fitting Christmas present for our community.