Opportunity available to head north to give flood relief

Locals plan to travel north to help people affected by the flooding Red River, and there are more spots available to volunteers interested in a short trip this weekend.

The group, organized by the United Methodist Church of Le Mars, will leave Le Mars at 1 p.m. Friday for the Red River area, which forms the border between Minnesota and North Dakota, and return at 11 p.m. Saturday.

"We are waiting to hear the details of where we'll be working." said Barb Johnson, who is helping organize the trip. "We're definitely going north."

One possibility is repairing flood damage at a camp in Arlington, N.D. Another possibility is sandbagging in Grand Forks, N.D.

An informational team meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars.

The deadline for applications to be filled out and returned is 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The 34-hour trip is open to those 14 years and older. Travelers must have a tetanus shot in the past 10 years.

Pastor Josh Hansen is the spiritual leader for the group.

Those who wish to donate money for flood relief along the Red River can bring donations to the United Methodist Church of Le Mars and mark them as "Dakotas Ministry."

No clothing donations are needed at this time.