SOUTH SIDE CLEANUP

Cold weather didn't keep some 50 volunteers from completing a community beautification project in South Cape Girardeau Saturday morning.

Members from Vision 2000 and the Class of 2000 gathered volunteers on the lot of the old Schnucks Midtown store for the "Pride on the South Side" project. The job included a trash detail throughout the surrounding area.

The volunteers, most of them students from Central and Notre Dame high schools, represented the two organizations, as well as the Haarig Area Community Development Association, Boy Scouts, National Honor Society and Beta Club.

Volunteers received T-shirts, work gloves, trash bags and a map of their trash pick-up route. They divided into small teams and canvassed surrounding neighborhoods, picking up litter on the roads and sidewalks as they went.

City Councilman Melvin Gateley, a member of Vision 2000 who has advocated numerous betterment projects on the south side of town, said the turnout was even better than he'd expected for the event. Twenty "neighborhood investment" routes were mapped out for the event, and nearly all of them were canvassed by the volunteers, he said.

"This is a spin-off of the Class of 2000 wanting to have a project for November," said Gateley. "They told us they wanted to do something and we suggested this. We're really proud of these kids for turning out."

Most of the students said they came out because they wanted to do something positive to help the city. Class of 2000 sponsor Julia Jorgensen said students often want to help but lack the direction needed to get things done. When they are given a specific project and are asked to help, they will always come out.

"Just to say 'go pick up trash in South Cape,' they won't do that, but if I give them a time frame and tell them we're all going to be together, they'll come out," she said. "Most of these students were excited about the chance to do something."

Some of the participants said they had considered staying at home when they felt the frigid weather but were glad they persevered. "I did consider it," said Central High School senior Summer Chaudhari. "I decided I would feel better about myself if I went ahead and came out."

Elizabeth Hook, a Central High School junior, said she didn't think twice about participating. "I heard about it and wanted to help because it needs to be done," she said. "When you're on a mission nothing stops you."

Some residents in the neighborhoods being picked up assisted in the campaign, and several cleanup teams said elderly residents stepped out on their porches and thanked the volunteers for their efforts.

Students said they hoped others would follow their lead and try to keep trash out of the neighborhoods. "I'm getting the satisfaction that we're helping people," said Central High School sophomore Katie Rose. "Sometimes when you do something people follow your example, and I guess that's really all you can hope for."