The Radford Army Ammunition Plant and Virginia Tech conducted the 2017 Big Event throughout the New River Valley on April 8.
The Big Event at Virginia Tech is a student-run community service effort that has grown into the second largest event of its kind in the nation. Every spring, thousands of students, faculty and staff come together to complete hundreds of community service projects throughout the New River Valley. This year, they partnered with RAAP for an Adopt-a-Highway cleanup.
Radford Army Ammunition Plant Army connected with the Big Event for the second year in a row and collected litter on Belspring Road and Gate 10 Road. These thoroughfares connect Route 114 to the back gate of the plant.
The Big Event gives students a way to give back to our community and show appreciation to all non-student residents and organizations of the New River Valley by completing volunteer projects free of charge.
It was a great success with 11 people from the VT Hospitality Management Club collecting 13 bags of trash in three hours on a 3.6-mile route.
It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze and traffic was steady but the bright orange vests and highway warning signs kept drivers alert and responsible.
The Adopt-a-Highway program provides an opportunity for individuals, businesses or civic groups to clean up litter, and then erects a sign with the group’s name after two pickups have occurred and been documented.
Each year, nearly 18,000 Adopt-a-Highway volunteers collect more than 25,600 bags of waste along Virginia’s highways.
The Radford Army Ammunition Plant has been a member of Adopt-A-Highway for over 20 years and continues to display our environmental awareness and stewardship.
— Submitted by Charlie Saks
