Sailors assigned to Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) participated in an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup project in Mechanicsburg, Pa., May 11.

The event served as an opportunity to enhance the environment in the local area and contribute to the preservation of the community.

For more than ten years, NAVSUP BSC Sailors have cleaned up a two-mile section of Sporting Hill Road just outside the Naval Support Activity, Mechanicsburg.

"It is important for us to participate in this type of program because we care about our community, and it is our community, not just a duty station," said Lt. Samuel Gebreselassie, project officer and Adopt-A-Highway coordinator for NAVSUP BSC.

The Adopt-A-Highway initiative is part of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) roadside beautification program where volunteers collect trash and debris that litters our roadsides. Each group is assigned a two-mile stretch for a two-year period.

"We at PennDOT find it invaluable to partner with long-standing groups such as yours, as it brings citizen volunteers into a partnership with PennDOT to enhance the beauty of the roadside environment so we present a better impression of Pennsylvania to tourists and prospective business investors," said George Reigel, roadside specialist for district 8-0, PennDOT.

Reigel noted that by using volunteers, the Adopt-A-Highway program saves Pennsylvania $491.75 per mile, the cost for a five-man PennDOT crew to clean one mile of roadside. This is funding that can be put to use in repairing and rebuilding the infrastructure instead of picking up litter.

"Anytime we can do something positive and give back to the community, it shows that we are there to support them as they support us," said Lt. Darius Rawls, project officer, NAVSUP BSC.

To learn more about NAVSUP BSC, visit us at https://www.navsup.navy.mil/public/navsup/bsc/.


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