With the government shut down, the folks that usually clean up litter in the Smokies are not working. But volunteers are stepping up to help.

Diapers, clothes, and lottery tickets made up just part of the mess that volunteers picked up on the side of the Spur.

With the government shutdown keeping many employees of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) at home, there's been no litter pickup along that busy stretch of the Parkway that connects Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

On Thursday, Keep Sevier Beautiful invited folks to help them pick up the trash, and around a hundred people showed up to help keep the national park clean.

"Just like when we had the fires as well, this community comes together when we have issues that happen," said volunteer Dustin Barger.

There was a lot of trash tossed out alongside the road, so the volunteers were busy on this cold morning!

Volunteers included employees from Sevier County businesses like Ober Gatlinburg, Ripleys, Anakeesta and hospitality solutions. Others just felt like it was the right thing to do.

"We've been coming to the mountains all our life, they have given us so much, we've got to give it back," said volunteer Mary Howard.

"If we can make a little bit of difference and impress on people not to litter, it's worth it," said Lisa Bryant, Executive Director of Keep Sevier Beautiful.

The volunteers were shocked at the amount of trash that had accumulated, and in disbelief at what some people would just toss out of their car and onto the side of the road.

They encourage folks to do their part by not littering. You don't have to go very far to find a trash can!

The volunteers said they would keep coming back until the shudown is over to keep the park they love clean.