A local charity, Help! I’m Hurting! Inc., is hosting a community cleanup day on Dec. 2

The group is seeking volunteers who will work all that day mucking and gutting homes, working on mold remediation and helping the elderly as well as church and civic organizations.

Herman L Gradney, an associate minister at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, said although the flood happened months ago, there is still a lot of need in the community.

“Actually this effort is just beginning. We’re at the very beginning of this effort,” he said. “We’re going to kick it off a week from today. Were trying to get the city involved.”

He said there are still too many people living in moldy, dangerous homes who need help.

“For mucking, for sure,” he said. “There is a great, great need.”

Finally, Gradney said he’s hopeful Port Arthur residents who have recovered or are at least not in any imminent danger, will step up and help fellow residents.

“We’ve had groups come in from all over the country from Austin, Texas. We’ve had groups come in from as far as Michigan that are helping out in this effort,” he said. “We are trying to get Port Arthur citizens to be more involved to help themselves.”

Gradney said his group has only recently begun spreading the word on the volunteer day, so he doesn’t know what kind of a response his call to action will have.

If anyone is interested in volunteering, show up at 7 a.m. at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church at 501 W. Thomas Boulevard. The crews will work until 5 p.m.

He said if any residents need help, they can call the church and get added to the list.

Gradney said if anyone needs any information they can call him 409-363-3630.

However, if anyone needs volunteers to help with their home they need to visit the church’s intake center at 501 W. Thomas Boulevard, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.