More than 5,300 Phoenix residents took advantage of the city's free, tool-lending program offered through the Neighborhood Services Department and removed more than 365 tons of trash from blighted or littered properties throughout Phoenix during the 2007-08 fiscal year.

The participants, most of whom are members of neighborhood associations and community organizations, took part in 57 clean ups last year compared to 24 clean ups in 2006-07, a 38 percent increase.

The 365 tons the participants removed marked a significant spike over the 290 tons that were removed by Phoenix residents in 2006-07.

"We are seeing more and more residents wanting to become actively involved in the overall maintenance of their neighborhoods," said Jerome Miller, Neighborhood Services director, adding that more than 1,000 neighborhood associations now are listed with his department.

While the 138 percent increase may seem daunting, it does not take into account the additional work that many of the listed neighborhood associations and community volunteers do every week without any city assistance, Miller said.

"Their work and participation in such events provide an invaluable service to the city in keeping and maintaining our neighborhoods," Miller added. "We could not be successful without their hard work and dedication.”

The city lends free tools and equipment to neighborhood groups to maintain or improve their neighborhoods. The tools include paint sprayers, weed eaters, paint rollers, gloves, rakes, trash bags and shovels, among other tools.

For more information on the program, call 602-495-0323 or visit phoenix.gov/nsd.