A non-profit Quad Cities based organization is working to clean up all the flood debris that has washed into the Cedar River. Tammy Becker, with the group Living Lands and Waters (LL&W), says they’re finding all kinds of items in the waters just southeast of Cedar Rapids.
"Commercial and industrial materials…there’s a lot of barrels and household goods," Becker said. "Honestly, anything you can possibly think of…stuff that came out of people’s homes, a lot of appliances, things like that make up the majority of it."
The LL&W workers plan to coordinate cleanups along the Cedar River through July 12. They’re asking for help from 20 to 30 volunteers a day. "There’s so much stuff out here," Becker says, "more than what our small crew of eight can handle. So, we’re making a plea to get volunteers to come help out."
Volunteers are asked to work all day or one of two shifts, from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Becker says volunteers should bring their own lunch and wear rubber or steel-toe work boots and pants, rather than shorts. LL&W will provide bottled water, life jackets, gloves and bags. Becker is hoping Iowa businesses might allow groups of employees to help with the river clean up during work hours.
Anyone that’s interested in volunteering is as to register on-line at the Living Land and Waters website.