City employees participated in the National Walk at Lunch Day on Wednesday, and some of the employees walked the route with buckets and trash pickers to clean up downtown Suffolk.

The lunchtime walk consisted of a one-mile loop down Market Street to Main Street and down Washington Street.

“I would like something like this every day,” said Donna Pitt from the city assessor’s office. “If I don’t walk every day, it feels like everything is clogged up.”

The walk, part of the employee wellness program, partnered with Suffolk’s Department of Public Works Litter Control Division, and employees had the option to pick up litter on their one-mile walk.

The effort was part of the “Great American Cleanup” campaign. The campaign is designed to encourage people to get outside and volunteer, helping make communities cleaner, greener places to live, work and play.

“I see trash out here every day, and this gives me a chance to pick it up,” said John West from public utilities.

Those participating felt that taking a walk during lunch gave them a boost for the remainder of the work day.

Having the event reinforces the physical and mental benefits of walking, Becky Brown, city health and wellness coordinator, stated in a press release.

“Employees who are ‘well’ are more productive and engaged workers,” Brown said. “Employee engagement is a major focus of the city, and this is just one event which helps to promote an engaged workforce through building teamwork and enhancing morale.”

West feels he needs to walk every day, because he sits behind a desk and needs to get out and do something. Pitt feels the same way.

“It’s about the only way to exercise when you don’t have time outside of the work days,” Pitt said. “I just know how important this is.”

Pitt has been walking for about 25 minutes every day for the last two years.