MONTEREY, Tenn. – When something happens in a city or town, it's up to the community to help respond and take action. Following a mid-February ice storm, the city of Monterey was hit hard with destructive ice, and snow, causing trees and debris to tarnish the yards and streets of the area.

On Saturday, the Tennessee Tech Athletic department sent student-athletes from the women's soccer team to help in the clean-up efforts.

"As a team, we wanted to come out here and help with the clean-up," said TTU soccer sophomore Abi Gearing. "The communities around Tech support us so much as a team and an athletic department, we thought it would be cool to come help. It's also a great way for us to bond as a team, and give back as a team. So we were excited to be able to help."

The student-athletes and support staff were out in Monterey almost all day Saturday helping clean up the downtown area.

 "I think it means everything for Tech to come and support its surrounding communities," said Cory McDonald, former Tech football player and current Development Coordinator within the athletic department. "People that are involved with Tech Athletics really like to help out in the community and support the people that support us. When we were hit with the storm, it caused so much destruction in these communities, and we just wanted to come out and pick up the branches, and trash, and help the people of Monterey and the surrounding community."

Branches and wreckage from the storm were pulled in effort to make the community look clean and clear once again. Photos can be found on Facebook.com/TTUGoldenEagles