CROTHERSVILLE
Crothersville officials care about the small community’s residents.
As a way to give back, the town council has introduced a new program, Crothersville Cares.
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Once in the spring and once in the fall, officials will ask for volunteers to assist them in sprucing up a few properties around town.
People can suggest a place that needs attention, and a drawing will be done to select properties for the work. The number of properties will be based on the number of volunteers.
The first work day is Sept. 30. Properties can be submitted by calling the town hall at 812-793-2311 or sending a message via facebook.com/townofcrothersville.
“There are a lot of people who cannot do things, but we want to help them make their place look better along with making Crothersville look better,” Councilwoman Katie Masters said.
The tasks could include painting, planting flowers and cleaning up yards.
“We want to do our part and help someone out. There is one stipulation: We will do it, but once we do it, it has to be kept up,” said Masters, who also is a member of the town’s safety board.
The idea for the new program came about after Jackson County United Way had to move its annual Day of Caring from May to September because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That event typically involves volunteers doing projects around Crothersville, but Masters said that’s not happening this year because the number of volunteers is low.
The council then came together to form Crothersville Cares.
Council President Danieta Foster said the selected spots may be the yard of someone that just needs a little help or someplace that needs a little sprucing up.
“Anyone can give us a place that needs attention to be considered,” she said. “We will randomly choose a property or two from your list and get to work on it.”
It also could be town property that needs improvement.
“There are a lot of spaces that are blank here in town that belong to the town, but we don’t do anything with them,” Foster said.
Grover Stacey, who owns property around Crothersville, told the council during the Sept. 1 meeting that he likes the idea of the program.
“I think that’s a terrific idea because a lot of older people just don’t have the resources to do it,” he said.
He also said before the town has its lawyer send notices to property owners about an issue, officials should talk to them first.
“Because most people will clean it up and do whatever they have to do,” Stacey said.
Council Vice President Chad Wilson said he recently reached out to a local Scout troop, and it’s willing to help on a work day. Officials welcome other volunteers, including individuals, couples, families, organizations and employees of businesses and industries.
“The last couple of months have shown that Crothersville can come back together still,” Foster said. “When there is a need in this community, this community comes in and they help.”
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To submit a property that needs attention in Crothersville or to volunteer for the Crothersville Cares work day Sept. 30, call the town hall at 812-793-2311 or send a message via facebook.com/townofcrothersville.
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