Summit County Participants Recognize the Importance of Volunteering

AKRON, OHIO – In honor of National Volunteer week (April 15 – April 21), participants at the REM Ohio Opportunities Center, located at 2052 Romig Road, will recognize the importance of volunteering within their community. The participants at this Center, adults with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD), have adopted a section of highway in Summit County.

These participants, self-proclaimed as “The Crew”, have made it their New Year’s resolution to donate their time to help keep Ohio beautiful. The Crew will maintain a 2-mile strip on route 224, between routes 91 and 532. A total of (18) eighteen adults have already signed up for this volunteer effort, in addition to five Job Coaches.

The process began when the Program Coordinator approached the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and obtained the Adopt-A-Highway Litter Control application. A member from the ODOT organization conducted a mandatory introduction and training session at the Opportunities Center.  Topics included safety and disposal of collected trash from the identified highway.  Upon the training completion, an agreement was mailed back for the group recognition as ODOT authorized volunteers in their clean-up crusade.

“The volunteers will clean up the 2-mile section of highway four times a year,” said Darla Klemkowski, REM Ohio Program Coordinator. “They have become so eager to volunteer their time with ODOT and we anticipate exceeding this important community assignment.”
The Crew routinely provides routine and seasonal lawn care, janitorial and cleaning services, and odd-jobs to customers throughout Summit County.  The Opportunities Center provides education, training, and real paychecks to adults with disabilities.
To learn more about The Crew or to obtain a quote for services, please contact REM Ohio Opportunities Vocational and Social Center at 330.745.0224.