The Columbus chapter of the Society of Marketing Professional Services did its part for National Volunteer Month. Six professionals from the organization that brings together members in the architecture, engineering and construction industry joined forces with eight employees from Carpenter Marty Transportation to clean up U.S. 33 between I-270 and the Post Road exit in Dublin, Ohio, April 27.
SMPS annually plans a cleanup service project during April, and its 2019 version assisted the Ohio Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway program in keeping Dublin area roads clean of trash and debris. Each year ODOT spends $4 million on litter pickup.
“Giving back is part of our role as community builders,” said Doug Rentz, Garmann/Miller director of communication. “Our industry is all about relationships, so when we can lend a helping hand and make some friends along the way, it’s a win-win.”
Adopt-a-Highway is a promotional campaign undertaken by U.S. states to encourage volunteers to keep a section of a highway free from litter. In exchange for regular litter removal, an organization can have its name posted on a sign in the section of the highways it maintains.
“If it weren’t for people volunteering, a lot of stuff wouldn’t get done,” said Tim Berical, SMPS Columbus’ membership director and principal at Worthington-based PLANIT Studios, a landscape architecture and wayfinding firm. “When you’re in the community, you need to do things for the benefit of the community.”
The SMPS cleanup team collected more than 25 full bags of trash in its three-mile stretch along U.S. 33.
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About SMPS: Society of Marketing Professional Services is the only national association that brings together business development and marketing professionals from the architectural, engineering, planning, interior design and construction industries. SMPS represents a network of more than 6,800 marketing and business development professionals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its mission is to advocate for, educate and connect leaders in the building industry.