VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATE VICTORY OVER FLOOD

About 200 people turned out Saturday afternoon for a "Flood Victory Celebration" at Red Star Baptist Church, organized to show appreciation to the many volunteers who helped battle this year's river flood and to symbolize to residents of the area it is time to move forward.

"We all had a tough summer, with a lot of devastation. Many of our members and people in this neighborhood lost their homes," said Mike Parry, interim pastor of Red Star Baptist Church. "But there was a unique spirit of togetherness that took over."

The 1300 block of North Main where the church is located was closed off for the event, which included food donated by area merchants, a puppet show, live gospel music, games and other recreation.

Certificates were presented to many of the volunteers who had helped with the flood, including representatives of the Red Cross and the Cape fire and police departments.

Parry acknowledged that only a handful of the volunteers were able to attend Saturday's event, but said the appreciation shown to the few who were there was symbolic of the thankfulness of the church and neighborhood. Volunteers not only came to the neighborhood from around the area, but also from many parts of the country.

"I thought it was a real positive atmosphere - an opportunity to put the flood behind us," said Parry.

Parry noted many people remarked that the celebration was a lot more fun than sandbagging, but he conceded there is a chance flood waters could rise again next spring.

"We all know it could come back on us next spring, but we can put it behind us for now," said Parry.

The church emerged as a focal point of the flood fight efforts in the city's Red Star area. The parking lot was filled with sand for sandbagging efforts throughout the Red Star area. Sandbagging saved the church from flooding, and its activity building became a center for flood-related meetings.

Parry believes that will help the church's attendance at services.

While Saturday was a day to celebrate the end of the flood in Red Star, the event also symbolized the start of a new era for the church. Parry will end his duties as interim pastor today, and on Oct. 31, Rev. Alan Berry from Fredericktown, will take over as pastor of the church.

"We're staring a new era and this was a way to put an end to the old and introduce the new," said Parry. "Hopefully the volunteer spirit we have had will carry on."