"Make a Difference Day"

C O M M I S S I O N N E W S R E L E A S E

Contact: Christina M. Hampton, (610) 292-3785 October 19, 1998

ATTENTION RADIO STATIONS:
Voice actualities relative to this news release
are available from the Turnpike’s Information
Broadcast Service by calling 1-800-563-5425

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS OBSERVE "MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY" BY PLANTING TREES ALONG THE PA TURNPIKE'S AMOS K. HUTCHINSON BYPASS

Pittsburgh, PA -- On Saturday, October 24 at 9 a.m., the Pennsylvania Turnpike, in conjunction with PA CleanWays and community volunteers, will observe "Make a Difference Day" by planting 400 tree seedlings along the Turnpike’s Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass in Westmoreland County.

Over fifty participants from local girl scout troops, (Penn Trafford, Latrobe/Derry), the Plum Borough cub scout pack, East View Union Cemetery, First National Bank of Herminie, Adelphoi Village Group Home and Norwin High School will roll up their sleeves and put spade to soil for the day’s event. A variety of species including Pin Oak, Northern Red Oak, Sugar Maple, White Pine and Norway Spruce tree seedlings, donated by the National Tree Trust, will be planted by the volunteers.

Turnpike Commission Executive Director John Durbin said, " We’re proud to once again take part in this event that has been so successful in encouraging individuals and families to get involved and make a difference in their communities."

This is the fifth consecutive year that the Turnpike Commission has collaborated with PA CleanWays to plant tree seedlings along the Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. Last year community volunteers planted over 1,000 trees along the Bypass.

"Make a Difference Day", the largest national day of doing good, is sponsored by USA Weekend magazine and the Points of Light organization. Last year, more than 1.3 million people participated nationally in a wide range of service projects in an effort to make a difference in their communities.

PA CleanWays, a nonprofit organization that fights illegal dumping and littering, has been the main organizer of the tree planting effort for the past several years. A representative for the National Tree Trust, America’s TreeWays Program, will also participate in the activities.

For more information on PA CleanWays, or to lend a hand this Saturday, contact PA CleanWays at (724) 836-4129.

NOTE TO THE MEDIA: The planting site will be between the Arona Road Exit #2 and the mainline toll barrier plaza of the Bypass.

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P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676 Phone: (717) 939-9551 Fax: (717) 986-9649