CALUMET CITY | Dozens of volunteers who helped keep flood waters out of homes and businesses were honored by the City Council.

Aldermen approved a resolution Monday to honor the local residents who helped fill sandbags and do other heavy lifting when the Little Calumet River rose to record levels in September. With the help of mutual aid from more than 25 communities, the volunteers filled and hauled 65,000 sandbags, Mayor Michelle Qualkinbush said.

"We all can vividly recall those heavy rains of early September," Qualkinbush said. "We are truly grateful for the help of all of these volunteers. It shows that Calumet City is truly a great place to live and that we rise to the call of duty to help our neighbors."

Honorees packed City Council chambers to hear their names read and to receive a copy of the resolution from Qualkinbush. They included city firefighters, Boy Scouts in uniform, workers from Thornton Township and Bloom Township and residents of surrounding communities.