PennDOT looking for Venango Adopt-A-Highway volunteers

From staff reports

PennDOT is seeking volunteers to participate in the Venango County Adopt-A-Highway program, which involves cleaning litter from state-owned roadsides.

“Over the past few years, the county has lost multiple longtime participants for numerous reasons,” said Paula Klingler, PennDOT’s Venango County highway maintenance manager. “We are asking the members of Venango County to step up and contribute their time and service to help fill these slots as well as areas that have been left unadopted for some time and help us keep our roadsides clean,” Klingler added.

Volunteers in the Adopt-A-Highway program collect litter on a two-mile section of state highway at least two times a year, typically the spring and fall.

The program has more than 5,000 participating groups statewide and more than 112,000 volunteers who help keep 8,000 miles of state-maintained roadways clear of litter.

In Venango County, there are 34 groups participating in the program and more than 100 miles adopted. There are about 400 miles available for adoption, Klingler said.

Roadways 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 and Pick Up Pennsylvania.

The campaign runs through May 31.

Anyone interested can sign up for the Venango County programs by going online to www.adoptahighway.penndot.gov. The website includes an application process, supplies request form and an option to notify PennDOT once a collection event has been held.

Information is also available by calling the Venango County maintenance office at (814) 432-3115.