67 Volunteers Clean Virginia Roads, Collect 147 Bags

When 22 employees from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative showed up on April 15, they weren't there to fix power lines. They came armed with trash bags and a mission to make their Virginia community shine.

The volunteers tackled both sides of Fredericks Hall Road in Louisa County, walking 3.66 miles from Garrett's Mill Road to Johnson Road. By the end of the day, they'd collected 34 bags of roadside litter through the Adopt-a-Highway program.

The April cleanup marks the fourth event since REC adopted this stretch of Route 618 in October 2024. The group partnered with Louisa Clean, a local organization dedicated to keeping county roads pristine.

"REC's commitment to community extends beyond the power lines," said Casey Hollins, the company's managing director of communications and public relations. The volunteer effort shows what cooperation looks like when neighbors pitch in together.

Since adopting their section of road six months ago, the cooperative has mobilized 67 different employees who've contributed 309 volunteer hours total. Together, they've removed 147 bags of litter from the roadside.

The Ripple Effect

The cleanup effort goes beyond making one road prettier. Jody Korman, treasurer of Louisa Clean, points out that community pride starts with small actions like picking up trash.

"Building and sustaining a proud community is key," Korman said. "Everyone must do their part to help keep our roads clean." Volunteer Sandy Riggs joined the April cleanup to support the cause.

REC has provided coordination, supplies, and guidance to make each cleanup successful. Louisa Clean continues supporting the partnership by organizing events and rallying community members.

The electric cooperative serves 22 counties across Virginia, and their volunteer work reflects a deeper investment in the places they call home. When utility workers trade their tools for trash bags, they're proving that service means showing up in more ways than one.

#