Chariton, IA

Chariton’s annual Community Clean-Up effort expanded in 2008 to help deal with the aftermath of the devastating ice storm of 2007. The City of Chariton, working with the Chariton Community Schools, the Chariton Chamber and Development Corporation, the Chariton Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts and other community groups, organized additonal clean up days at city parks, the city cemetery and Red Haw State Park. Students provided the volunteer labor to help clear these areas of limbs, branches and other debris left by the storm, and also helped clear the yards of residents who were physically unable to move their limbs and branches to the curb. This activity culminated with the city-wide Clean Up Day on May 7, when students and Rotary Club volunteers picked up trash throughout the city and provided a dump site where residents could bring household waste, old appliances, electronics and tires for disposal.

Thanks to the leadership of local Horizons participants Harlan and Delores Ranshaw, Thrivent Financial For Lutherans is providing 65 percent of the funding necessary for the Marion County chapter of Habitat For Humanity to build a new Habitat home in Knoxville. Delores made the successful grant application to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Harlan and Delores are coordinating the required volunteer effort by Thrivent members and members of five local Lutheran congregations. Chariton churches and the Horizons housing committee are participating in this project as a first step toward a possible future affiliation with the Marion County chapter of Habitat.

Building on the success of 2007’s Leadership Plenty training class, the Chariton Chamber and Development Corporation is sponsoring a 2008 Leadership Plenty training class. The class will be open to anyone in the community, with special emphasis on recruiting leaders who work with low- and moderate-income clients or residents in the community. The Chamber will donate staff, meeting space and financial resources to sponsor the class.

During a March meeting with the Steering Committee Linda Baynes the Volunteer Coordinator for the Lucas County Hospital raised concerns that there were individuals in the community that needed assistance completing their applications for the Economic Stimulus Payment.  To answer this need a work day was set for March 25th.  The Volunteer Program at the Hospital provided advance notification to the community, a location for working with clients, and volunteers lent a hand.  Joyce Lash, a VITA site organizer provided supervision and 37 returns were completed.  One individual who qualified for Earned Income Credit was provided assistance from a local VITA site. 

A local retirement community  also requested assistance with review of 16 applications to ensure they had been completed correctly.  Conversations are being held to determine if a VITA program could be established in Lucas County.   

The Ukrainian Church in Chariton jointed with other churches on July 1, 2007 and September 9, 2007 to help with Ecumenical Services.  The services were held on the town square prior to major community celebrations, the 4th of July and Chariton’s Sesquicentennial.