Press release
A local participant in the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Adopt-a-Highway program has received an award for his efforts with the litter prevention program. Milburn Chaney, of Athens, is the recipient of the programs annual “Individual Volunteer Award.”
According to TxDOT, the Adopt-a-Highway (AAH) awards recognize the outstanding efforts of an individual volunteer, a volunteer group and a TxDOT maintenance employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty—keeping the program going strong while preserving and protecting the Texas environment. The winners surpass minimum expectations for their obligations to AAH and are innovative and thorough in the process.
Nominated by TxDOT’s Tyler District, Chaney, with wife Bonnie in attendance, recently accepted the award during the Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) Awards Luncheon featuring the Adopt-a-Highway Awards at the annual Keep Texas Beautiful Conference in Sugar Land.
Chaney said receiving the award is exciting and a great honor especially considering why he got involved in the program. He said his participation was motivated by the death of his brother, Thomas, who worked for the Andrews Center in Athens, and whose duties included overseeing litter pickup efforts on highway right of way. When his brother passed away, Chaney decided it was something worthwhile and found the Adopt-a-Highway program to be the perfect springboard.
“It’s like carrying on his legacy,” said Chaney. “That’s why I do it. My son and grandkids also help me from time to time.”
TxDOT says Chaney is deserving of the award citing his cleanup efforts for the two-mile stretch of highway he adopted and his work to raise awareness about litter prevention.
During the ‘Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off’ in April, Chaney picked up several bags of litter from his adopted segment on Loop 7 at Airport Drive in Athens. Over the last year, he cleaned the area more than seven times, and dedicated over 200 hours to litter cleanup and prevention. He also participates in Keep Athens Beautiful events.
“Since joining the program in August 2014, Mr. Chaney has consistently gone above and beyond the program’s call of duty,” said Terri Monroe, Tyler District Adopt-a-Highway Coordinator. “Not only does he clean his adopted section the required four times per year, but he picks up at least a 44 gallon bag of trash every week. He is very passionate and dedicated to the cause.”
The former Henderson County Tax Assessor Collector says picking up litter alone has its challenges but is rewarding and that’s what keeps him motivated.
TxDOT said by honoring these individuals, the AAH program hopes to encourage other citizens to initiate like-minded projects and reinforce a spirit of environmental stewardship.