The Day of Service will begin at 9 a.m. Work will continue through 3 p.m. that day, but could last longer depending on the specific crews’ plans at a work site.
Work orders will be distributed to those who volunteer at the former Food Lion parking lot on APD 40.
“This special project is one day to the year after the devastating storms of April 27, 2011,” said Day of Service coordinator Connie Wright. “While there has been so much work done since that day, you can drive through neighborhoods and see that we still have homes in our area that have trees down and building materials scattered about yards.”
She added, “We saw the volunteer spirit on April 28 of last year and through 2011 into this year, and we know that there are those who still want to help where they can.”
Wright also pointed out there are those who may have wished to volunteer for projects in the past but could not due to scheduling conflicts. This Day of Service will give them that opportunity to do so.
First United Methodist Church will provide day care for parents who will be volunteering to help in the cleanup efforts.
The Salvation Army will provide canteen services to the workers at the affected areas.
Several organizations are expected to help on this Day of Service, as well as churches in the area. The Chattanooga-area Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints is just one of those churches involved.
“We have 46 willing volunteers for that day, as well as five chainsaws dedicated to the project,” said Doug Forquer with the Latter-Day Saints. “The Chattanooga-area Latter-Day Saints always do a Day of Service each year and had already scheduled this year’s for April 28, so this day works well with this local project.”
He added, “We are very pleased to be a part of this and hope to help as many people still affected in our area as we can.”
While some of the specific details on the Day of Service are still being worked out, organizers do have several issues already addressed.
Trees that are already on the ground will be cut into appropriate lengths and moved to the road for pick-up. Materials such as roofing and siding that have remained in residents’ yards as far back as last year will also be moved toward the road by the volunteers.
“We had such a community effort on April 28, and we know that we will see that again in this communitywide project to help those who are still in need,” Wright said.
Day of Service organizers are hoping that area churches, businesses and civic groups will join in the effort. Wright said this will not only be for those affected by the April 28 storms, but those who had damage since then, such as from the early March tornadoes.
“If you want to help, this is your opportunity,” she emphasized.
To find out more about the event, either to ask for assistance or ask about volunteering for April 28, call 599-0757, or sign up to volunteer by visiting the Community Action Network website at www.cbcan.com.
