EarthCare and Tennessee’s Adopt-A-Highway Program

by Patrick Spiesser

 

Since EarthCare began participating in Tennessee's Adopt-A-Highway program in November 1999, we have completed many cleanups.  EarthCare has adopted 2 miles of Highway 58, starting at mile 17, (going north) near the Booker T. Washington State Park entrance and ending at mile 19 near Central High School.  This service to our community and the environment reflects our commitment to caring for God's creation.  Although it involves a few hours of work (2-3) every few months, it has been a positive experience for all the participants.

 

During these cleanups we get a better look at our impact on nature and at the burden we inflict on creation by the careless handling and production of garbage.  It is amazing how many of our society's "consumer products" end up along the side of the road.  Taking part in these cleanups has been an eye opener for me and has led me to think about what goes into the trash can.  It seems that much of the trash lands on the embankment on its way to the landfill or gets thrown out of moving vehicles.  We need to keep up the work of cleaning up after ourselves.  We also need to become more aware of the fact that we generate too much refuse.

 

I would like to make an appeal to our members who are not yet involved in EarthCare's Adopt-A-Highway cleanup to consider participating.  Participation includes watching a video from the Tennessee Department of Transportation about the Adopt-A-Highway program (about 15 min.) and signing a release statement for the State of Tennessee (volunteers ages 12 to 17 need parental consent).

 

Beginning with our cleanup in November of 2001, I would like to change our meeting point from Bayside Baptist Church to Central High School to avoid unnecessary travel time. Check our Calendar of Events for cleanup dates.  We invite you to join us for our next cleanup.

 

First time participants are asked to please contact me a week ahead of time so I can arrange for the viewing of the video and the signing of the release statement.  For more information on the project, please feel free to call me: Patrick Spiesser at (423) 855-7488.

 

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