Well, Adopt-A-Highway Litter Removal Service of America, Inc. provides their service to around 13 different states. Any company, big or small, can pay monthly fees
which go towards cleaning designated sections of certain highways. In return for their good service, Adopt-a-Highway advertises the companies who donate on common roadsigns-broadcasting to anyone who drives by, their good deed.I really admire programs like Adopt-a-Highway- people who realize the importance of cleaner cities. But of course, the story goes on.
One of my favorite memories from freshman year included one of these signs. My boyfriend at the time, Mark, would point out this one particular sign. I guess I didn't fully understand what he was trying to say until I started seeing more of these signs. After we drove by, he'd always start to talk about how that sign gave him hope for humanity in general. I always tried to figure out what was different about that particular sign, weren't they all good deeds? Couldn't they all potentially give you hope?
This sign was different though, it wasn't donated by McDonalds, Starbucks, NASA, anything we know. It was closer to home. It was a citizen donation- it was anonymous. Purely just a random act of kindness. Quite literally, the advertisement part of the sign was filled with the text "Random Act of Kindness." There wasn't anything that needed to be advertised other than the fact that we need to keep our cities clean, for the sole purpose of respecting our community. The simplicity of that sign really hit home. We all have our part- instead of a good deed, let's turn trashless cities, clean air and general generosity into an expectation that we can hold on ourselves and towards others.
I don't remember the location of the sign but I'm going to try and get that information from Mark and i'll definitely post it once I get it. Please keep an eye out for it, I promise that you'll smile every time you pass by.
___________________________________________
update: "It's 85 S from Mountain View...the on-ramp to get on 280... adopt a highway by- random act of kindness" -Mark
5 comments:
So true- It is amazing how we forget those unsung hero's who give for the sake of giving. Giving should be enough to make each of us feel good w/out the need for recognition or vain public applause. It would be great to see more of 'us' truly act in kind...randomly and anonymously. :)
I couldn't help but notice that you are showing a stock photo of an "Adopt-A-Highway" sign that is sponsored by the "San Diego Minutemen." That is a rather controversial group that many people find repugnant. So my question for you, Danielle: Do you think that there should be a screening policy to determine who can and who cannot sponsor these highways? Or do you think anyone should be allowed the opportunity. For example, if a group of white supremacists wished to sponsor; or maybe an anti-abortion group, both of which evoke strong feelings in segments of our populace. Just mixin' it up!
Second Cuz-
That's definitely a difficult line to draw. The first thing that came to my mind when you posed your question was the issue surrounding free speech.
Apparently we all have the right of free speech but post anything in threat of our president and you should be expecting a call from the Secret Service in no time. So I guess how far do you let someone advertise their views and opinions?
I want to say that it would be unfair to limit who is 'allowed' to donate. That would defeat the purpose, right? The company's mission is to allow for cleaner highways, they're going to do that, unfortunately with the help of companies who want to make a better name for themselves. I wouldn't be surprised if a controversial group or company advertised themselves as a partner with companies such as Adopt-a-Highway. It gives them a better name, right? Maybe makes people think twice before criticizing them? It's the way our world works unfortunately.
But to get back to the point and answer your question- I would follow similar guidelines that the government seems to use. Free speech without threats or possible terrorism. Anti-abortion, white supremacy, discrimination, gay rights.... they all exist but when it comes to donations- Someone who is pro-choice and another who sees abortion as murder should be able to improve the same world, just as they should be able to peacefully live in the same world.
ok, first of all, i pass by that sign ALL the time, and i love it, and do smile every time. i am so glad you blogged about it.
secondly, to the two comments above =]. just wanted to add my two cents, i was in charge of advertising for our high school newspaper last year, and still manage a lot of the adverising this year and a similar issue came up when we were on retreat learning how to "manage a high school paper". so let's sa somebody wants to buy a full page, color ad, and you're stoked, but then they send you the design and it's the a giant advertisement for an event the next weekend held by the KKK. This is one of the reasons that on our advertising program, it specifically states we have editorial decision on which ads to run or not run. Whereas the one above seemed somewhat black and white, it comes down to little things to. A condom ad would be promoting safe sex, but it would also be promoting sex [I'm talking specifically to a TEENAGE student audience of a high school newspaper]. Or what about something as simple as a tanning salon wanting to advertise. Seems ok, but what message are we sending teenage girls, that they should go lie down and expose their bodies to damaging UV rays in one of those frying bed thingies? you could keep asking these questions forever, so as far as "should there be a screening policy," I think there is. I think that the company "Adopt a Highway" does reserve the right to say no to anyone's money. Should they? Should they refuse the betterment of a particular urban environemnt; what if accepting it risked the minds and judgement of hundreds or thousands that pass that sign every day for many years?
Anyways, I don't know why I felt the need to ramble about this, but interesting point that was brought up, and again, awesome post! i LOVE that sign!!!
:) thanks for the input Beckie
Post a Comment