Annual Community Cleanup – An event to benefit the community

Saturday April 11th, 2026, 8 am to 12 noon

St. Alphonsus-Rodriguez Church (Lower parking lot)

✔︎ Join friends and neighbors for our annual roadside clean-up
✔︎ GPCA will provide safety vests and trash bags
✔︎ Dumpsters will be on site for your spring cleaning use

Remember!

If you use a GPCA safety vest, please remember to return it

Safety first

No hazardous or flammable materials, no paints or oil, no fridges or air conditioners

No electronics (computer equipment, TVs, VCRs, phones etc.)

No brush/yard waste which is collected separately by the County; no material which could be recycled by the County

Tires will be collected at the pull out on Old Court Road

Please review all items that are not authorized for disposal for this cleanup.

Participants will be responsible for unloading their own household refuse; limit one to two visits per household.

Volunteer a couple hours to keep our rolling countryside beautiful!

(Certificates available for students needing service hours.)

For your safety please review the GPCA Guidelines below.
and watch the MD State Highway safety video —- Be sure to wear your GPCA t-shirts! 

A Signup link is provided for your convenience:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A5A62DAAFCC07-62968757-gpca

Thanks for your support, Jim Raistrick, GPCA Cleanup Chair, communitycleanupgpca@gmail.com

GPCA Cleanup Guidelines and Tips

I. Preparation & Planning (Before You Go) (Time links are to video content.)

  • Check the Weather: Please check the weather and plan accordingly for attire. Consider bringing along sunglasses, an extra jacket, raincoat, etc. [02:13]
  • Inclement Weather: Don’t attempt pick-up during inclement weather. If it starts to rain hard, please consider getting off the road for safety. [01:17]
  • Age Requirements: Children ages 12-17 must have adult supervision. Please do not allow children under 12 to participate if the cleanup is in a dangerous area. [03:53]
  • Parking & Carpooling: Do not park on the road. Only park in a parking area or driveway. Ensure that you have permission from the owner to park on private property. Consider carpooling to work in a location away from your house. [01:30]
  • Personal Items: Don’t wear jewelry that you can’t afford to lose. Put your valuables in a zipped pocket if possible. [02:13]
  • First Aid: It is a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand. [02:24]

II. On-Site Setup & Attire

  • High-Visibility Clothing: Please wear a safety vest and light-colored clothing for better visibility to drivers. [02:02]
  • Protective Gear: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, closed-toe shoes/boots, and heavy gloves. [01:53]
  • Team Size: It is recommended to work in teams of no more than 10 people. At least one person should always be a spotter for traffic. [02:30]
  • Signage: Place cones or signs in the work area, if available. [02:44]

III. Safety During the Cleanup

  • Positioning: Always face traffic and avoid construction areas. [02:44]
  • Traffic Awareness: Be especially attentive to traffic when picking up trash on the road, bridges, medians, etc. [03:21]
  • Movement: When traffic is approaching, do not make quick movements, which may distract the driver. [03:44]
  • Emergency Vehicles: If an emergency vehicle approaches, move far off from the edge of the road to avoid the emergency vehicle and any cars which may pull over to let it pass. [03:14]
  • Proper Lifting: Pick up trash with a grabber or stick. If picking up by hand, bend at the knees and let your legs do the work. [04:10]
  • Hazards to Avoid: Watch out for uneven pavement or ground, as well as insect activity like bees or wasps. [04:10]
  • Prohibited Items: Do not pick up heavy objects, animal carcasses, medical or chemical waste. Leave abandoned tires on the side of the road; do not put them in trash bags. Take pictures of these objects, note their location, and notify cleanup organizers. [04:17]
  • Bag Tip: Place a heavy item in your empty trash bag to keep it from blowing away. [03:01]
  • Self-Care: Stay hydrated. [02:24]

MDOT SHA Adopt-A-Highway Pickup Crew Safety Video

Source: MDOT SHA Adopt-A-Highway Pickup Crew Safety Video