While federal, state and local government offices were closed and most of their employees enjoyed a holiday Monday, workers for AmeriCorps were out helping the community.

AmeriCorps spokesman Ted Rivera said the community service work was part of a program to get out into the community on federal holidays, take on projects and help local agencies.

“We use these holidays to get out and give back the community,” he said. “We look at it as a day on, not a day off.”

Members staying at the AmeriCorps NCCC Southern Region campus in Vicksburg worked at two areas Monday, helping the staff at Mountain of Faith Ministries and helping clean and clear Beulah Cemetery.

“We’re clearing away brush to make it safer to get lawnmowers in and cut the grass,” team leader Alexandra Tontisakis said as workers trimmed and cut limbs, and removed small trees and shrubs. The crew began working about 8:30 a.m. and were expected to complete their labors by about 4 p.m.

The crewmembers worked in several areas of the historic cemetery slowly building piles of limbs, branches and dead wood that would later be disposed of.

Tontisakis said the team working in the cemetery was composed of members who had just arrived at the campus, “So they don’t know Vicksburg. This gives them a chance to help the community and learn about Vicksburg. They’re all excited to be out here to take some action and serve the community and make a contribution.

“We don’t get many chances to get out (as a team) and work in Vicksburg; we have four national service days a year, so we’re glad when we can get out into the community help out. We’re glad to help here (at Beulah) because they have such a small budget.”