VOLUNTEERS: CITY DEPARTMENTS SEEKING HELP MOVING SANDBAGS FROM HOME

Now that the river has receded and no longer poses a threat to area residents, the Emergency Operations Commission is calling for volunteers to help move sandbags from their homes on Saturday.

Volunteers will been needed primarily in the Red Star area to move filled sandbags from around flood-affected homes to the curb side for city removal.

City workers cannot go on to private property to remove sandbags. Once sandbags are placed along the curb, the city will use front-loaders and dumptrucks to move them out of the area.

The effort will begin at about 8 a.m. Saturday. Anyone interested in volunteering should meet at the Activity Center of the Red Star Baptist Church, at 1301 N. Main St.

Cape Girardeau City Emergency Operations Coordinator Mark Hasheider said that volunteers should be capable of lifting heavy objects and working in the extreme heat, and should also wear boots and gloves.

Personnel from the Cape County Health Department will be on hand to provide tetanus shots to any of the workers.

The Salvation Army and Red Cross will provide drinking water and meals for the volunteers.

Any residents who require assistance with the removal of sand bags should call the Cape Girardeau Fire Department at 334-3211.