GMC Adopt-a-Highway Program
In 2019 GMC was given two miles of Highway 79 on which the church must pick up trash four times a year. Following are the details of this program. It has been undertaken to provide church members with a way to give back to the community plus it is an opportunity for people to see our church in action.
When: We will pick up trash on four dates each year. Depending upon weather and other factors, we are free to change those days should we need to do so. The schedule is (same months each year):
(Signs were installed June 2019)
(mowing is scheduled for approximately June and November of each year.)
2020
April - Last Saturday - Apr 25, 2020
July - Last Saturday - Jul 25, 2020
October - Last Saturday - Oct 26, 2020
We will determine actual start times prior to each pick up date.
Where: We will meet at the church to obtain supplies and then go to the highway. Our stretch of highway is one mile to the west of the east end of the paved parking strip along Highway 79 to a point 1 mile east of that point. There are blue signs at both end points. We are responsible for both sides of the highway.
What: We will pick up trash and put it in bags. If it is too big to put in a bag then that item can be left where it is. We pick up from the edge of the highway to the property line. That line is different in various parts of our stretch, so we must use common sense. Sometimes we will only go as far as the tree line. Other times, we go up or down an embankment. Other times, to a fence. In town we will pick up to the fronts of the buildings. It is highly recommended that volunteers bring their own pick-up sticks to eliminate bending over and picking up every piece of trash by hand! Volunteers must also provide their own gloves.
Who: We need 15 volunteers for each date. Each person must be 15 years old or older due to the stretch of highway we will be on. It is highly recommended that you wear long pants, long sleeved shirts, and good footwear. Flip flops and sandals will NOT be allowed. Also, think about sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
How: 3 people will begin at the midpoint (the east end of the paved parking strip on the north side of 79). They will pick up trash on the north side of Highway 79 toward the east and will stop at the Adopt a Highway sign. 3 people will start at the midpoint, but on the south side of 79. They will pick up trash toward the west for one mile, stopping at the western Adopt a Highway sign. 4 people will begin at the west marker sign and will pick up trash on the north side of 79 until they reach the midpoint. 4 people will start at the sign on the east side of Gause and pick up trash on the south side of 79 until they get to the midpoint. Thus, each team will therefore pick up trash for one mile. Trash must always be picked up while facing the traffic flow.
#15 will be in a pickup truck (with flashers on) shuttling people as needed, dispensing water, picking up bags of trash, and consolidating the trash at one end of our stretch by the sign. #15 will count the number of bags collected.
As bags are filled, place them at the edge of the highway shoulder (not on the pavement) and #15 will collect them. Bags are to be counted by #15 and then placed in other bags to the extent possible.
Each person must wear a reflective vest and it must be closed at all times. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Each person must watch the safety video before going to the highway. The video is actually a You Tube and can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDgWq2AyH7U Each person must sign in at the church prior to going to the highway and that sign-in means you have watched the safety video.
#15 must ensure a first aid kit is available at the highway and also must carry a cell phone capable of calling for emergency help if needed. Also, make a list of who has serious insect or plant allergy problems. If the person is really sensitive to something or severely allergic, then they should not go to the highway, but it is their decision.
Volunteer Responsibilities: First, thank you for volunteering! The first thing you should do is go to the following web site and review the information there: www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/volunteer/adopt-a-highway/safety-tips.html . Then go to the above Youtube site (the link is also on the web site just given to you). Make sure you are able to comply with those requirements and instructions.
You must bring your own pick-up sticks, grabbers, and work gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, sun glasses and hats. We suggest you wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt (we had intended to wear our church shirts, but that makes no sense due to the vest requirements.). You will be walking one mile and picking up trash along the way, so make sure you are as comfortable as you can.
Arrive at the church in plenty of time to get your vest and trash bags.
After completion of the trash pick-up, turn in your vest at the church annex. The coordinator will email TXDOT with the number of people participating, number of bags collected, and location of the consolidated bags. TXDOT will pick up the consolidated bags and any larger items we placed near the roadway.
When: We will pick up trash on four dates each year. Depending upon weather and other factors, we are free to change those days should we need to do so. The schedule is (same months each year):
(Signs were installed June 2019)
(mowing is scheduled for approximately June and November of each year.)
2020
April - Last Saturday - Apr 25, 2020
July - Last Saturday - Jul 25, 2020
October - Last Saturday - Oct 26, 2020
We will determine actual start times prior to each pick up date.
Where: We will meet at the church to obtain supplies and then go to the highway. Our stretch of highway is one mile to the west of the east end of the paved parking strip along Highway 79 to a point 1 mile east of that point. There are blue signs at both end points. We are responsible for both sides of the highway.
What: We will pick up trash and put it in bags. If it is too big to put in a bag then that item can be left where it is. We pick up from the edge of the highway to the property line. That line is different in various parts of our stretch, so we must use common sense. Sometimes we will only go as far as the tree line. Other times, we go up or down an embankment. Other times, to a fence. In town we will pick up to the fronts of the buildings. It is highly recommended that volunteers bring their own pick-up sticks to eliminate bending over and picking up every piece of trash by hand! Volunteers must also provide their own gloves.
Who: We need 15 volunteers for each date. Each person must be 15 years old or older due to the stretch of highway we will be on. It is highly recommended that you wear long pants, long sleeved shirts, and good footwear. Flip flops and sandals will NOT be allowed. Also, think about sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
How: 3 people will begin at the midpoint (the east end of the paved parking strip on the north side of 79). They will pick up trash on the north side of Highway 79 toward the east and will stop at the Adopt a Highway sign. 3 people will start at the midpoint, but on the south side of 79. They will pick up trash toward the west for one mile, stopping at the western Adopt a Highway sign. 4 people will begin at the west marker sign and will pick up trash on the north side of 79 until they reach the midpoint. 4 people will start at the sign on the east side of Gause and pick up trash on the south side of 79 until they get to the midpoint. Thus, each team will therefore pick up trash for one mile. Trash must always be picked up while facing the traffic flow.
#15 will be in a pickup truck (with flashers on) shuttling people as needed, dispensing water, picking up bags of trash, and consolidating the trash at one end of our stretch by the sign. #15 will count the number of bags collected.
As bags are filled, place them at the edge of the highway shoulder (not on the pavement) and #15 will collect them. Bags are to be counted by #15 and then placed in other bags to the extent possible.
Each person must wear a reflective vest and it must be closed at all times. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Each person must watch the safety video before going to the highway. The video is actually a You Tube and can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDgWq2AyH7U Each person must sign in at the church prior to going to the highway and that sign-in means you have watched the safety video.
#15 must ensure a first aid kit is available at the highway and also must carry a cell phone capable of calling for emergency help if needed. Also, make a list of who has serious insect or plant allergy problems. If the person is really sensitive to something or severely allergic, then they should not go to the highway, but it is their decision.
Volunteer Responsibilities: First, thank you for volunteering! The first thing you should do is go to the following web site and review the information there: www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/volunteer/adopt-a-highway/safety-tips.html . Then go to the above Youtube site (the link is also on the web site just given to you). Make sure you are able to comply with those requirements and instructions.
You must bring your own pick-up sticks, grabbers, and work gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, sun glasses and hats. We suggest you wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt (we had intended to wear our church shirts, but that makes no sense due to the vest requirements.). You will be walking one mile and picking up trash along the way, so make sure you are as comfortable as you can.
Arrive at the church in plenty of time to get your vest and trash bags.
After completion of the trash pick-up, turn in your vest at the church annex. The coordinator will email TXDOT with the number of people participating, number of bags collected, and location of the consolidated bags. TXDOT will pick up the consolidated bags and any larger items we placed near the roadway.