Caruthersville Community Cleanup Project A Success

Volunteers met Saturday, Sept. 9 to clean up the entrance to the community of Caruthersville.

Those driving by I-155 Exit 6 in Caruthersville Sat., Sept. 9 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. would have thought they had landed in a video game with blue lights flashing and characters in bright orange buzzing about. What they were actually seeing was more than 30 volunteers from the community pulling together to clean trash and string trim the railings, while police vehicle lights swirled to caution traffic to slow and protect the workers.

Many were encouraged to see community members come together to make a difference. Volunteers began making contributions days before the actual cleanup date by anonymously bushhogging the roadside around the overpass and setting in to string trim at sunrise Saturday, continuing to trim for more than five hours. Volunteers showed up to pitch in and pitch out, with seventy-eight bags of trash, an eighteen wheeler truck hood, six tires and many other large items being removed. When volunteers were asked why they participated, they said it was because they cared about making Caruthersville great, and wanted to make a difference in the image and progress of a city with great potential. All should be inspired by this group of individuals who showed that everyone, no matter the age or role in the community, can make a difference. By working together great things can happen. Volunteers included individuals from all walks of life, but of like mind, believing in their community.

A round of gratitude goes to the Caruthersville Police Department, Caruthersville Fire Department, Lady Luck Casino, Community Aces, City of Caruthersville, Caruthersville Chamber of Commerce, Helen Schulte Garden Club, H.S. Smith Funeral Home, Caruthersville Manner, St. Francis Levee District, First State Bank, Rushing Construction, Caruthersville Ministerial Alliance and Missouri Department of Transportation for the participation of individual representatives and/or other assistance. Because each volunteer is to be commended and is a role model for others on investing in their community, the group would like to recognize the following volunteers: Tony and Kim Jones, Jeremy Darnell, Charlie Jones, Olin and Lemeira Parks, Virginia Pierce, Mary Stutzman, Wendy Dale, Danny Sanders, Karen Meeks, Jane Fike, P.G. and Sue Maners, Jimbo Rushing, Terry and Tina Rushing, Jim Lyons, Pat Guest, Luther Sanders, Jackson Bailey, Shawn Harding, Kenny Lee, Dustin Price, John and Lisa Gardner, Jim Lyons, Jimmy Lyons, Collin Rushing, Mike McGraw, and Paul Shaw (apologies to anyone whose name was unintentionally left out). If you would like to be involved in future community projects and/or have ideas for future projects, send an email to 4caruthersvillecares@gmail.com.