Springfield Dems tackle road clean-up

By Susan Laume:

With only a short rest after poll operations on November 14, the Springfield District Democrats (SDDC) of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) tackled a road clean-up project under the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway Program.

As John Wittman, active committee member and organizer of the event, often says, “It’s important to walk the talk.” So SDDC has worked to keep the group’s designated road section free of trash pollution for several years, earning a road sign marking their effort on Burke Road, between Rolling and Burke Lake Roads. The effort yielded 19 large bags of trash. Residents along the street came out to thank us crew members for picking up the trash.

The Adopt-a-Highway program offers an opportunity for civic groups, businesses, neighborhoods, and families to clean up litter on designated roadways.

Each year, more than 23,000 Adopt-a-Highway volunteers collect more than 44,000 bags of waste along Virginia’s highways.

Volunteer groups  agree to pick up litter at least two times a year for three years over a two-mile stretch of highway. In return, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides trash bags, vests, important safety information, and highway signs that recognize your group. Readers who might like to designate a road to adopt can learn more at http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/prog-aah-default.asp

While SDDC may be blue at the core, they enjoy working together in safety orange.

PHOTO: Walking the talk and eliminating trash pollution, highway clean up “crew” (left to right): Ken Wheeler, Patty Helms, Jorge Torrico, Gilly, Levi Newman, event organizer, John Wittman, Sara Helier, Cora Newman, Shaun Newman, Donald Craig, Andrew Scalise, Kimberly Davis, Dou Zhang, Jennifer & Mike Davis.

Susan Laume is a member of the Springfield District Democratic Committee and director of the Virginia Dog Army, an animal advocacy group.  She and her dog work as a therapy dog team.

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