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WARREN, Pa. – Six Warren County Adopt-A-Highway groups and individuals were recognized by PennDOT Friday for participating in the program since it began 31 years ago.
The recognition came in connection with Earth Day, and PennDOT’s northwest region also recognized groups that have participated in the Adopt-A-Highway program for more than 25 years. In addition to the six who had been with the program since the beginning, 32 other Warren County individual/group volunteers have been with the program for 25 or more years.
“We are so grateful to have so many dedicated volunteers help us through the years, especially those who return year after year,” said Brian McNulty, P.E., District 1 Executive. “The cost of litter is more than just the eye sore that it creates. It is also the time spent removing it from the roadsides, transporting it to the disposal sites, and paying to have it properly discarded. Our AAH volunteers help us control some of those costs while improving the beauty of our roadsides.”
The following Warren County groups have volunteered with the program for at least 25 years:
30 Years
Barnes United Methodist Church
Beth Nelson
Bill Cummings
Jim Ostergard
Qh/Wh Inc.
Shield Farms
The Church of Christ
Warren Pa Chapter S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.
29 Years
Brokenstraw Valley Camp Sites
Simpler Times Museum
Warren County Christian School
28 Years
Boy Scout Troop 17 And Cub Scout Pack 18
Dan Burford
Dawn Keller
Eldred Grange #467
Grand Valley Fire Dept
Knights of Columbus; Warren Council 964
Leonard Erzen Jr.
Northern Allegheny Conservation Association
Rene Johnson
Shirley McClelland
Titusville Education Association
Wiltsie Community Church
Youngsville First United Methodist Church
27 Years
Fred Woodburn
Hickory Creek Wilderness Ranch
Walt And Jennie Schumann
26 Years
Barry Crist
Dan Brugos
Martin E Hinton
Tidioute Oil Co., Inc.
25 Years
Knights of Columbus Council 9304
PennDOT District 1, which serves Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties, has 127 groups and individuals who have volunteered with the program for at least 25 years, including 22 that have been involved since the start.
Throughout the region, there are 488 groups participating in the program and nearly 1,100 miles adopted.
The following groups have also participated in the program since its inception 31 years ago:
- Crawford County –Knights of Columbus #6037; A.B.A.T.E. Of Crawford County; Jim Marvin, and Kiwanis Club of Cambridge Springs;
- Erie County – North East Jr. Women’s Club;
- Forest County – Cougar Bob’s Kellettville Tavern; Marienville Area Lions Club; Marienville Rod and Gun Club, and North Forty;
- Mercer County – A.B.A.T.E. of Mercer County, Boy Scout Troop 50-Jamestown, Boy Scout Troop 83; Commodore Perry Lions Club, and Kiwanis Club of Greenville;
- Venango County – A.B.A.T.E. of Venango County and Titusville Kiwanis Club.
Through PennDOT’s AAH program, volunteers collect litter on an approximately two-mile section of state highway at least two times a year, typically in the spring and fall. In 2021, the statewide program had over 5,000 participating groups, nearly 108,000 registered volunteers, and more than 7,500 miles of adopted state-maintained roadways.
Along with any of the nearly 3,000 miles of unadopted roadway, there are other areas in each county that can be adopted, including park and rides in Crawford, Erie, and Mercer counties, scenic views in Forest, Venango, and Crawford counties, and interstate interchanges such as I-90 in Erie County and Route 19 in Mercer County.
So far this year, 12 new groups or individuals have signed up for the AAH program in the northwest region.
“The clean-up season starts in March, but additional volunteers can sign up anytime throughout the year,” said District 1 AAH coordinator Cheryl Wimer. “If you want to get involved, but don’t have a particular roadway or area in mind, our county coordinators can help you identify a spot that is correct for you.”
Roadways and other areas can be adopted by individuals or groups of any sort, including clubs, schools, churches, businesses, and families. In return for their participation, PennDOT posts signs along the roadway giving the volunteers credit for their efforts.
Gloves, trash bags, and safety vests for the cleanup campaign are provided by PennDOT, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Pick Up Pennsylvania, which runs from March 1 to May 31.
Interested groups and individuals can sign up for the program by going online at www.adoptahighway.penndot.gov.
“We thank all the volunteers who give their time each year to renew their agreements, register their cleanups efforts, and spend a few hours cleaning up garbage along our roadways. It goes without saying that we could never do all of this work without them,” Wimer said.
Additional information on the Pick-Up Pennsylvania and Adopt-A-Highway is available online at www.penndot.pa.gov.
