PROCTORVILLE — It’s people like Charles Henderson that make Dan Palmer’s job a little easier.

For years Henderson, who owns and operates Henderson Sand and Gravel on State Route 7, has taken it upon himself to maintain the stretch of highway that runs by his business. He cuts the grass; weed eats and picks up litter that gets tossed on the roadway by passing cars.

Henderson doesn’t think that’s such a big deal.

“We just did it for us,” the businessman said.

But Palmer, who heads up the Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste Management District, strongly disagrees. That’s why he has recruited Henderson for his ever-expanding “Sponsor a Highway” program.

That’s where a non-profit organization such as a church or youth group or a business promises to take care of a designated segment of a highway. The Solid Waste Management District puts up a sign marking that segment showing that it is now cared for by a particular group of people.

“It is people like (Henderson) that entice other individuals to help clean up the county,” Palmer said. “It takes leadership and (Henderson) is one of them.”

It’s been 18 months since Palmer started the highway sponsorship program and so far has 20 sponsors in Lawrence County and 11 in Scioto.

“This man has been doing this for a while and I want to acknowledge (him) and have him join our program,” Palmer said. “People see this and hopefully it will try to stimulate pride in the county.”