Our Highway Cleanup Mission
St. Mary's participates in the Pennsylvania Adopt-a-Highway program three times a year — spring, summer, and fall. Our adopted stretch of Tomstown Road between Route 997 and Mentzer Gap, just outside Waynesboro, is kept litter-free through the dedication of our faithful volunteers.
Our spring cleanup typically coincides with the Great PA Clean-up Day, held in conjunction with International Earth Day — a perfect opportunity to care for God's creation.
Volunteers in Action
A glimpse of our hard-working crew keeping Waynesboro beautiful.
What to Bring
Come prepared for a fun morning of community service! Here's what our experienced crew recommends:
- Long pants — briars and ticks are real!
- Long-sleeved shirt — protection from ticks and briars
- Hat or sunscreen — you'd be surprised how strong the sun is at 8–9 AM!
- Poker/litter stick — save your back from all those squats
- Work gloves — this is trash, and some of it is just darn nasty
- Fluorescent orange vest — wear it proudly as a Good Samaritan! (We'll provide one if you need it.)
- A good partner — to chit-chat with and remind you where you put your keys!
Fun from the Road
Each spring and fall, we collect an average of 12–18 bags of trash — with some memorable finds along the way!
- A Toyota hubcap
- A political campaign sign
- A trash removal sign — yes, the irony is not lost on us!
"Amazing what kind of story you're able to derive from the frequency of a product along a stretch of road."
Get Involved
Our next cleanup will be next season. Please contact Steve Marvich for details as they develop. All parishioners and friends are warmly welcome!
A Heartfelt Thank You!
A big thank you to the faithful and energetic crew that turns out for each Adopt-a-Highway project every season. Your service makes Waynesboro a cleaner, more beautiful place for all.
Serving Our Community Since 1898
