The Adopt-A-Highway program, an initiative started by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) 40 years ago in Tyler, has become a global volunteer effort aimed at keeping highways clean. Locally, the Henderson Rotary Club has been at the forefront of this movement, making history as the owner of the longest-running adopted roadway in the nation since 1985. This commitment is a point of pride for its members, who have made substantial contributions to their community's aesthetic and environmental health.
In celebration of their enduring dedication, the Henderson Rotary Club marked the Adopt-A-Highway program's 40th anniversary. As reported by TxDOT, the club has been actively maintaining its section of US 259, collecting an estimated 3,500 bags of trash over 37 years. Beyond the measurable impact, their service reflects a deeper ethos, with the Rotary's vice president, Stacey Johnson, expressing, "Service Above Self" is our motto. "It is important to us to make a difference right here at home. To keep Henderson beautiful."
Twice annually, the club's volunteers, adorned in the program's signature orange safety vests, take to their stretch of road with an enthusiasm for civic duty. They are often aided by local students from the Henderson and Beckville High School Interact Clubs, the youth counterpart to Rotary International. Club President Jeri Gaddis conveyed the sentiment of this collaborative effort to TxDOT, "It is so great to get out and help make a difference in our community. We can make an immediate impact right here in Henderson by giving just a few hours each year."
The conception of the Adopt-A-Highway program was triggered by a simple yet pivotal observation by James "Bobby" Evans, a former TxDOT Tyler District Engineer, of debris escaping a pickup truck. This moment spawned a cleanup initiative that, since its inception, has expanded beyond Texas borders to adopt a worldwide presence. While the Rotary Club's local stretch of highway is just one part of a global project, the members have forged friendships and a shared commitment to ensure the continued beauty of their hometown for both residents and visitors, according to Johnson's words to TxDOT.
As the Adopt-A-Highway program continues to inspire volunteerism and community engagement, the Henderson Rotary Club remains steadfast in its legacy as environmental stewards. Their long-term dedication to the oft-overlooked task of litter collection is a testament to their adherence to the Rotary motto and a reminder of the power of concerted community action in effecting lasting change, one piece of trash at a time.
