Chain saws, smooth operators needed for Saturday tornado cleanup

Chain saw operators are needed Saturday to pare down big tree debris so other volunteers can cart it away and speed the area’s recovery from Memorial Day tornadoes.

“This cleanup is so critical to a community’s ability to recover because it’s hard to recovery when you’re looking like you are in a war zone,” said Laura Mercer, executive director of the Miami Valley Long Term Recovery Operations Group.

Plenty of other volunteer opportunities are available Saturday at three cleanups from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at locations in Harrison Twp., Old North Dayton and Trotwood.

Skilled and safe chain saw teams with their own saws and safety equipment are needed at the sites in Harrison Twp. and Trotwood, Mercer said.

“We need trees cut up into manageable-sized chunks so that that volunteers can haul them to the curb,” she said.

AmeriCorps and Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteers, CareSource employees, University of Dayton students and members of Team Rubicon are expected to pitch in large numbers for the Saturday cleanups, Mercer said.

Volunteers are also needed Saturday afternoon to help with furniture and household item deliveries to tornado survivors’ homes.

These and many other future volunteer opportunities can be found at MVStrong.org. To volunteer, click on the volunteer opportunities tab to find the sign-up genius.

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