Residents who enjoy being outdoors and want to contribute to the community may want to consider helping out during an Ironton Rail-Trail workday.

Once a month, community volunteers work on a number of projects along the various parts of the trail, which runs through Whitehall, Coplay and North Whitehall, said IRT Commission Secretary Ray Bieak.

IRT volunteers "clean up accumulated debris from fallen trees and winter storms and repair what is broken," said Bieak.

IRT Commission members and volunteers have done trail maintenance, trimming and cutting, installed and maintained kiosks, rail fencing, memorial benches and planters and oversaw the completion of 55 Eagle Scout projects in the past decade.

Bieak said individuals in the community should consider volunteering.

"It's everybody's trail," he said. "It's owned by the three municipalities. We're always looking for volunteers. We need more volunteers."

Bieak added the IRT Commission will be holding its 12th Annual IRT 10k Run/Walk on May 19. Participants are sought.

The dedication of the restored Ironton Railroad No. 6 Caboose is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 1 at Chestnut and North Ruch streets, next to the Main Trailhead (Milepost 0), Bieak said.

Workdays start 8 a.m. the second Saturday of every month. Future workdays include April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14. Locations change each month.

Those interested in taking part in a scheduled workday or in learning more about the IRT Commission should contact Bieak, who can be reached at 484-860-1498 or at rail.trail@yahoo.com.

Additional information on the IRT can also be found on the organization's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/irontonrailtrail.