Route 66 Trash Pickup by JOG,inc. Cuba, Missouri

JOG, inc. members and 4-H Volunteers came together to help get the Race route ready and looking good.

When company comes, you pick up the clutter and make everything look bright. Old Route 66 between historic uptown Cuba, Missouri and the Guinness World’s Largest Rocking Chair at Fanning needed a little cleanup before company comes next weekend. Some of Cuba’s organizations decided to unite for a little home town beautification and give the 4-mile stretch of road a some TLC before the Route 66 Race to the Rocker on March 26.

On Saturday, March 19  JOG, inc. members, 4-H volunteers, and others came together to help pick up trash along both sides of the Route 66 Race to the Rocker Route.  MoDOT would later come along to pick up the bright yellow bags and other debris piled along the road.

JOG,inc. volunteers also passed out information flyers explaining the both lanes of Route 66 would close for the race. A recent Cuba Free Press article explains the road closure. JOG,inc. members hope that local residents will trade a little inconvenience on race day for a cleaner highway near their homes. Last year, JOG, inc. adopted a long stretch of the race route under the state’s Adopt-A-Highway Program.

Cuba, MIssouri JOG,inc. members with Adopt-A-HIghway sign Cuba, MIsosuri

JOG,inc. adopted the race route in 2010 under MoDOT's Adopt-A-Highway program.

With waves and honks from passing motorists, the bags filled with a variety of trash as the morning wore on. Starting a little after 9:00 am, it was close to 12:00 when the groups reached the landmark of the large rocking chair and knew that their work was done. After a look around the Fanning Outpost US 66 General Store and a cold Route 66 rootbeer, they headed back to town. Now they were left to work out the twinges from a morning’s work and get ready for the 4-mile run on March 26.

Some updates on the Race-related activities…and more photos of volunteers

Four-H members and their families are hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Recklein Auditorium on Friday evening starting at 5:00 until 8:00. During this time, there will also be a race expo with local businesses/organizations on site, and racers can pick up their packets before the Saturday registration. Packets can also be picked up Saturday morning before 8:30.

Jeff Bouse of Hayes Shoe Store will be at the Friday evening expo and the Saturday registration collecting gently used shoes for the Soles 4Souls organization in Tennessee that helps the shoes get to those who need them. Some of this year’s shoes might go to earthquake victims in Japan. So clean up shoes in good condition and donate them at the race expo or registration on Saturday.

Pre-registrations have reached the 650 goal with more coming in each day. We will have a lalapalooza of a group photo under the rocker this year.

Cuba, MIssouri young volunteer works along Route 66

Accompanied by her mother, this young volunteer helped pick up Route 66. Mom couldn't convince her to give up the artificial flowers that she found along the road.

Cuba, MIssouri Volunteers in safety vest strike out along Route 66

The group donned safety vests, gathered trash bags, and began their hunt for the finest trash that Route 66 had to offer.

Trash pickup along Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri

Leaders and 4-H members became involved in the pickup as a service project.

Cuba, Missouri Adopt-A-Street Program

After the group activity, George Reed picked up trash along Route 66 in Cuba as part of Viva Cuba's Adopt-A-Street program.

 

For more on Viva Cuba Adopt-A-Street program…

For more information on the race:

Race to the Rocker Flyer 2011 Cuba, MIssouri