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Adopt A Highway Cleanup
(Gay) Community Service Project
Saturday August 15
Highway 69 South starting at FM 346


After much effort, Project TAG has received a designated Adopt-A-Highway 2 mile stretch on Highway 69 starting at FM 346. A sign has been erected stating Tyler Area Gays will be cleaning that area.

In exchange for this recognition, we have agreed to clean trash four times a year on both sides of the highway. This is not an easy job, but we have taken it on to show our community that not only do we exist, but will show us as a civic-oriented organization as well. East Texas PFLAG Chapter members will be joining us to show their support.

We Need Your Help ! Would you be willing to help in this clean-up?

We plan to gather at 7am on August 15th. If this is too early (and remember how fast it gets hot in August), you can arrive for a second shift at 8am. The more workers, the faster the job will be completed.

Further instructions will be given soon as to where to meet and we will carpool to the site. Orange vests, trash bags, water, and gloves will be provided. We are required to have a short safety session before we begin.

You are the key to the success this program. If you have ever wanted to support Project TAG and the community, please plan to volunteer.

Respond to this posting if you plan to participate. The Board of Directors from Project TAG and East Texas PFLAG Thank You !!!

On Saturday, November 21, you will again have an opportunity to show your support for Project TAG, for East Texas PFLAG,for your community, and for all the "gays" in our area by picking up trash on the highway.

"Tyler Area Gays" is responsible for keeping a designated 2-mile stretch of highway free of trash four times a year. (This computes to a total of 4 miles as we have 2 miles on each side of the highway). November 21 will be our second pick-up day. Because the weather is predicted to be cool on that day, we will gather at 10 a.m. and should be finished by noon or before--depending upon the number of participants. Upon finishing, we will gather for lunch at The Diner. (I'm not familiar with that restaurant, but have been told it is across from Kids Depot on South Broadway.)

TXDOT signs designating "Tyler Area Gays" shows our community spirit as well as makes our presence known. (I met someone at Monday night's PFLAG meeting who has been in Tyler for six years and never knew we existed! We need to let people know we are here.)

Additional information will be shared as we draw nearer to November 21 but if you have not seen the TXDOT signs, they are located on Hwy. 69 South--3.3 miles south of the light at Target.

Dress comfortably in closed-toe shoes. Leather shoes or boots with good soles are recommended. DO NOT park on the roadway. This is prohibited.

We meet just inside the entryway to First Baptist Church's South Campus which is well marked with a lighted sign on the west side of the highway. A pickup will take us in pairs to a section of the area we need to clean. You'll be provided reflective vests (which we are required to wear), trash bags, water, and gloves (but if you have heavy, leather gloves you might prefer to use them).

If you haven't already marked your calendar for this event, please do so now and plan to join us. (No children under 7 should participate.) We need you!

On Saturday, November 21, twelve of us (Cliff, Rick, Rosemary, Nathan, John M., Troy, Don, John L, Gregg, Scott, Lou Anne and Brenda) worked together in keeping the “Tyler Area Gays” section of Highway 69 South CLEAN! Three months ago, on an extremely hot summer day, 16 of us from East Texas PFLAG and Project TAG participated in the cleanup–which took about two hours. This past Saturday was not only a perfect day–cool and dry, but we started the job at 10 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m.

I was hoping for at least 24 participants this time, so I found the turnout a little disappointing, especially when I checked the names and realized only five who participated the first time also helped the second time. Thank goodness for new participants!

The job is a tough one and we stacked up a total of 30 bags for the highway department to come pick up. Picking up trash is no picnic but at the present time I can’t think of a better method to let people know that not only do “gays” exist in Tyler but that we are civic-minded citizens.

When the next cleanup is scheduled in about 3 months, please make plans to join us. We need you!