‘Day of Service’ in Charles City Returns May 15-17

Charles City residents, businesses and organizations are being asked to help make a difference in their community this week and turn a date with a negative history into something more positive.

On May 15, 1968, Charles City was forced to clean up and come to the aid of friends, neighbors and townsfolk following a devastating tornado. The week of May 15, 2025, they had an opportunity to do it again, but this time because they wanted to, and not because they had to after a disaster.

Thus, a community-wide “Day of Service” was born, organized by the Main Street Charles City program, to not only improve the look of the downtown area, but the entire town. It’s also an opportunity to give back to the community you live and work in, as well as help out a neighbor in need.

Response to the first Day of Service was tremendous, generating a lot of positive comments and goodwill. So, the Main Street Charles City Board has made it an annual event, with this year’s Day of Service returning this Friday (05.15) on the infamous tornado’s anniversary and stretching into this weekend (05.16-05.17) as well. .

Board member Krista Noah, who came up with the idea, says, “Charles City is our home, a place we should be proud of, and this is a chance for everyone to do something – anything of their choice – to help make it a better place for all of us. How wonderful and impactful it was (last year) for someone driving through Charles City that day to see all of these people out doing something for their community. ” 

An organized cleanup of downtown Charles City and Central Park is set for this Friday between 4:30-6 PM. Please meet at Central Park by the corner of North Main and Blunt Street, and bring your own broom or leaf blower.

What you do and when May 15-17th is up to you. A list of other possible service activities (but is not limited to):

• Cleanup your storefront, front and rear entrances
• Wash your business windows – all floors
• Wash your neighbor’s windows (with permission) if they are unable
• Cleanup along the community recreational trail
• Park cleanup – any and all parks in town
• Parking lot cleanup (Adopt-A-Lot)
• Riverbank cleanup
• Help clean up a neighbor’s yard if they can’t (with permission)
• Take a neighbor to the store or run errands if they need assistance
• Clean up around the bushes along Gilbert Street
• Clean up around your family cemetery sites
• Group cleanup of downtown sidewalks, driveways and Central Park between 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, May 15th. Meet in Central Park.

All service clubs and organizations are invited to participate in some fashion, in addition to businesses and the general public. Businesses are being asked to do their part by cleaning up their entryways, both front and rear, as well as washing their storefront windows. Building owners are also being asked to wash their upper story windows as well.

Volunteers are being encouraged to post what they do that day on their personal social media platforms, or share it on the Main Street Charles City Facebook page at facebook.com/MSCCIA.

For more information about the Day of Service, or Main Street Charles City, call (641) 228-2335 or email [email protected]. Main Street Charles City is a non-profit, volunteer-driven and supported organization committed to preserving, enhancing and beautifying the downtown district.