Debra Higgins' property in Sunrise got a makeover Saturday. She didn't win a contest. But because she owes more than $600,000 in fines on her home for code violations, the city volunteered to lend her a hand -- many hands. in fact.

More than a dozen volunteers from the city, police and police Explorers spent their morning at 9352 NW 24th Pl., filling up a 40-yard dumpster with rotting furniture, vegetation and debris.

They also removed a four-foot beehive where an estimated 90,000 honeybees made a home, Sunrise City Commissioner Larry Sofield said.

``We're trying to give her some help; it got out of hand,'' Sofield said.

The volunteer service was a one-time deal, he said, and Higgins will still owe the money but it won't keep accruing. Two of the major violations that were not taken care of: a 40-foot ficus tree towering over her home and a dead Norfolk pine. The city is looking for a volunteer to help cut those down. Anyone interested may call City Hall at 954-741-2580, Sofield said.

Higgins, 55, was home Saturday but would not comment. The value of the work done was about $2,400, officials said. A pressure cleaning and house painting will be the city's next step.

The home gained infamy earlier this month when a Florida Power & Light worker went to collect on a bill and got the waft of a powerful stench from inside the house. No one answered, and he thought someone was dead. Police were called and found Higgins, along with two dogs and seven cats.

County animal care officers seized the pets, and Higgins was evaluated at a hospital for three days.

Neighbors said Saturday's cleanup was a good step, and hoped it would last.

``The smell has started to go away,'' neighbor Kathy Curry said. ``People will be able to be out in their front yard for a change.''

One of the volunteers had some infamy in his own right. William Daeder had the ``ugliest house'' in Sunrise before volunteers in July helped him take care of the mess that had led to $200,000 in fines.

``It's always good to help people out,'' said Daeder, 44. ``You help people out and good things come to you.''

Neighbors said the cleanup didn't have a lasting effect because his yard is messy again. Curry asked Sofield what would happen if Higgins' property fell back into disarray.

``We'll have to start cracking down,'' he said.

``But I hope she'll do what she has to do.''

Sun Sentinel staff researcher Barbara Hijek and staff writer Susannah Bryan contributed to this report.