OTTUMWA, IOWA -- May means spring cleaning for the city of Ottumwa.
Make Ottumwa shine will be held from May 9 through the May 15. The annual cleaning of the city has grown over the years and officials estimate more than 200 people will volunteer.
However, the free landfill program will not be a part of the event. Budget constraints have put a close to that portion.
“That then leaves a lot of people who would volunteer to help us at the parking lot take as I say, other people’s junk and kind of sort it out and dispose of it,” said Jody Gates, director health inspections.
The week-long event wraps up on Saturday with the organization, Acts of Iowa, volunteering all day.
The community has enjoyed the way the city receives its annual facelift.
"I think that they have embraced it warmly. More and more young people have been involved in the projects over the years, more school children. We have all ages of volunteers.”