The Kane County Board recently approved the renewal of several Adopt-A-Highway program applicants, including a foundation that uses the annual outdoor cleanup event to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, according to a news release from Kane County.
Since 2015, Kane County resident Joy Beach has been a passionate supporter of the Adopt-A-Highway program, following the tragic loss of her son John in a motorcycle accident on Allen Road in unincorporated Hampshire Township.
“We filled out the required papers and adopted two miles of highway in memory of him,” said Beach. “We had more than 100 people come out for our first cleanup. It’s a good memorial for people to pass on the roads and it gives everyone solace. It helps their loved ones with their grief.”
The Adopt-A-Highway program gives groups of private citizens the ability to adopt a segment of highway to collect litter and help beautify the county’s highway system.
Beach says 30-50 people volunteer twice a year for the John A. Beach II Memorial cleanup event, and she provides breakfast and lunch to all who participate. In addition, the event has turned into a multigenerational effort as her mother-in-law, daughter and five-year-old granddaughter all volunteer together during the cleanups.
Beach says her active participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program is also fueled by her advocacy for organ donation. Because her son John was an organ donor, he was able to reshape the lives of more than 150 people.
“I tell other donor families about the Adopt-A-Highway program because it gives me a lot of solace knowing that he is thought of all the time,” Beach said.
For information on how apply to the Kane County Adopt-A-Highway Program, email KDOTPermits@co.kane.il.us or fill out an application online here.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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