OXFORD – It’s a task that can easily and often be overlooked, not to mention dangerous–but if not for a handful of generous volunteers donating hours of their free time through organizations like the Oxford Lions Club, trash and litter strewn about our community highways would be left unchecked.

Recently, the Oxford Lions Club got together to combat the careless deposits of litterbugs along their adopted stretch of State highway 12 in the town of Oxford. With their “We serve” motto in mind and at the fore of the semi-annual roadside clean up project, the Lions proved their worth, humbly picking up for everyone’s enjoyment much as they have for more than two decades.

Back in the late 1980’s, like many states, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) suffered from a declining work force and a reduced operating budget. They implemented a clever program that started in Texas, where individuals or organizations could “adopt” a section of highway for roadside beautification or other aesthetic-related activities. Legislation formalized the Adopt-A-Highway program in 1990, and the Oxford Lions joined shortly thereafter.