SIDNEY – The Ohio Department of Transportation District 7 would like to recognize the Urbana Rotary Club for reaching a milestone as a member of the Adopt-A-Highway program. The group has been picking up litter for 25 years along a stretch of U.S. Route 68 in Champaign County.

The Rotary Club started picking up litter in 1991. Ed Hardin agreed to chair the activity, after the club heard an ODOT representative speak about the program. Hardin was active in club affairs until he 2004 when he moved out of the area, but the litter pickups continued. The picks ups started as a Saturday morning special project, but were eventually changed to a club meeting complete with pizza and soft drinks. The group collects 16-20 bags of litter in the spring and in the fall. It takes about two hours per clean up with around 20 volunteers. The majority of litter found along their route is bottles and cans.

Several members of the group have participated in clean ups for all 25 years including Bill Borland, Mike Melvin, Earl Moore, Rick Rademacher, Martin Shaffer, Chuck Sweeting and Roger Wilson. Brett Gilbert and Mark Naill have been picking up for 23 years.

ODOT, District 7 expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Urbana Rotary Club for their commitment and dedication. Our appreciation also goes to all of the Adopt-A-Highway volunteers who have maintained their adopted roadsides.

Groups interested in adopting a highway may find information about the program on District 7’s website, www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D07/adoptahighway. Groups may also contact District 7’s Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator Joyce Wolfe at [email protected] or (937) 497-6801.