Rescue us from litter: Meet Guardian Air Transport volunteers

As a flight nurse and business development coordinator, Mindy Londeree is part of a highly trained team of Guardian Air Transport professionals taking on a different kind of community service in Arizona’s high country. 

After joining the Adopt a Highway Volunteer program through ADOT’s Flagstaff office, Mindy graciously shared photos of Guardian Air Transport employees’ first cleanup and chatted about the motivation that led up to adopting a 2-mile stretch along US 89 north of Flagstaff. 

“With a base nearby; we drive this stretch every other day.” Mindy said, “We’ve seen ongoing litter in the area and wanted to do our part to make a difference.” 

We thank Mindy for sending photos from the group’s first cleanup and sharing the enthusiasm of fellow flight team members in the photo above. From left to right are Department Secretary Dru-Shea Backus, Flight Nurse Josh Patton, Flight Nurse Trish Curran and Aviation Site Manager Doug Ryndak. Click here if you’d like to see more photos.

You’ll see Trish holding the box filled with insulated cups of hot chocolate and cookies delivered by a thoughtful homeowner who spotted the group cleaning nearby. What better way to offer neighborly support than in the form of chocolatey goodness!  

The team made the most out of a trash-picking morning, as many volunteer groups do, by challenging each other to find the biggest or weirdest items, which included a dog house and lots of pipes.  

Mindy said, “I would tell everyone to sign up! It was a lot of fun, we truly enjoyed being outside together and the experience was totally worth it. Getting involved in our community matters and the setup process was super easy.”

Please visit azdot.gov/adoptahighway to get involved in your own adoption or participate in our next ADOT-hosted cleanup on Earth Day, April 22. You can also tune into the ADOT Podcast and listen to this 10-minute episode on how to get involved and help keep Arizona grand.