Volunteers answer the call for New Richland Cleanup Day

NEW RICHLAND, Minn. — More than 50 volunteers from across southern Minnesota came together in New Richland for a volunteer cleanup day, helping residents continue the difficult work of recovering from recent flooding. Collectively, over 180 hours of service was completed. 

 

The City of New Richland partnered with the Waseca Exchange Club to organize the effort, with the two organizations working hand in glove throughout the planning and cleanup. The Exchange Club rallied and coordinated volunteers, while City staff identified residents who were still in need of debris removal, demolition and cleanup assistance.

 

Volunteers came from throughout the region, with some traveling from as far away as the Twin Cities metro and Red Wing areas to lend a hand. The bulk of the volunteers arrived first thing in the morning with trucks, trailers, tools and work gloves ready, while others continued to arrive throughout the day.

 

Four volunteer crews were dispatched to homes that still faced significant cleanup.

 

At one of the hardest-hit homes, floodwater had filled the basement and risen approximately four feet into the main floor. Volunteers spent the morning hauling out wet boxes, totes filled with belongings that could not be saved, damaged appliances and other debris. Crews also tore out damaged drywall and building materials as they worked to help the homeowner move another step closer to recovery.

 

“We were so fortunate to have some carpenters and contractors who volunteered to help. They knew exactly what to do and how to do it,” said Ann Staloch, project co-coordinator. “At their own expense, some volunteers went and purchased lumber to build a new wall for a resident. It’s special to see what people are willing to do for complete strangers.”

 

The cleanup effort brought together not only individual volunteers, but organizations from across the area. The Waseca County CERT Team assisted with volunteer check-in and helped staff the city dump. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief–Wisconsin/Minnesota provided mold mitigation assistance as part of the day’s work.

 

Keeping hardworking volunteers fed was also a community effort. Some individuals dropped off food throughout the day, while the Waseca and Steele County Salvation Armies provided volunteers with a hearty smoked pork meal.

 

“We are so grateful for the partnership of the Waseca Exchange Club in their coordination of volunteers for us,” said Tyler Lendt, New Richland City Administrator. “Their efforts have been impactful for some of our hardest-hit residents.”

 

For the Waseca Exchange Club, the day was an opportunity to put the organization’s commitment to service into action and to bring people together from well beyond the immediate community.

 

“Exchange’s motto is ‘Unity for Service,’ and we are grateful we could bring together so many hands from a 70-mile reach to put in the meaningful work for our Waseca County community,” said Mikhail Rostislavovich, President of the Waseca Exchange Club. “It is remarkable what can be accomplished when determination and compassion meet.”

 

While the physical work of flood recovery continues for some New Richland residents, the cleanup day demonstrated the impact that can be made when local government, service organizations, disaster-response groups and individual volunteers work together toward a common purpose.

 

For the homeowners who watched strangers arrive with trucks, trailers and tools and simply ask where they could help, the day was also a reminder that they are not facing the work of recovery alone.

 

If you would like to contribute to the recovery for residents, consider donating to the Waseca Area Foundation’s fund for New Richland’s Disaster Relief.