NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Showing their commitment to their neighbors and the local environment, Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna employees, along with some of their family members, volunteered to spend a couple of their Saturday morning hours to the Adopt A Highway cleanup program Oct. 19.
The rain or shine event began with a safety brief given at the Inflight Cafe by Larry Dollinger, environmental chief, Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna.
“The cleanup usually takes two hours depending on the number of volunteers. Some bring their family members, and children ages 10-16 require accompanied adult supervision. This could qualify as credit for community service for students who are interested,” said Dollinger.
The Adopt a Highway cleanup program runs twice a year here, in the spring and fall, and DLA personnel must be in a non-duty status while participating or volunteering to assist in the event.
The volunteers are split up into groups, and a van drives everyone to their specific drop off point.
The cleanup sites are Old York Road from the iron bridge all the way to the top of the mountain. Then at Normandy (Drive) along the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the DLA truck gate, and then Old Depot Road up from Old York Road to the front gate that opens to the depot,” said Dollinger.
Brian Hurlbut, realty specialist, DLA Installation Management Susquehanna, is new to the organization. This is his first time volunteering. “I’m new, but I’m not new at picking up trash. Back in Vermont we did something called “Green Up” day. We’d go out every year and pick up trash to help clean up the state. What was cool about it, in Vermont, you have nickel and dime deposit on the cans and bottles so the additional incentive is hey, you can make a little money on the side,” plus, said Hurlbut, “It’s the right thing to do.”
According to Jeff Redline, chief environmental division, DLA Installation Management Susquehanna, each team takes a different section of the roadway.
“We work in pairs so everyone can look out for one another, be safe. Trash will go in a bag, and once that’s full it will be knotted up and placed along the side of the road where it will be collected by the state.”
Sarah Moor, environmental specialist, DLA Installation Management for Distribution, has been doing cleanup events off and on since her college days. She started volunteering for the cleanup events here with DLA probably three years ago.
Moor brought her son, Ryan, along with her to help. They worked on the Old Depot Road section. “My son loves going to the cleanup, even though he has to get up early on a Saturday morning for it. He says it’s the right thing to do and he likes helping the environment. When I talked to him about the cleanup last time, he said it’s something he will continue to do when he is an adult.”
“Never once when we are cleaning up has he asked ‘when will we be done, or how much longer will it take?’ I’m super proud of the young man he is becoming,” said Moor, adding, “I’m really hoping we can get more participation from others in the future with this event. I realize people don’t like to sacrifice their weekend time, but it really doesn’t take very long, and it helps the environment and the community around us.”