Yesterday, the riteSOFT team participated in its 6^th annual ditch cleanup through the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program. Since 2015, we have adopted a two-mile strip of Highway 23 in Waite Park, Minnesota. To increase the fun, we competed on who could find the most unusual piece of trash. Several masks, bottles, and cigarette packs were collected; however, the most unusual item was a 1934 $5.00 Silver Certificate. Collectively, 14 riteSOFT employees picked up 62 bags of trash from the roadway ditches during a 3-hour period. 

riteSOFT originally decided to participate in the Adopt a Highway program six years ago as a way to positively impact the environment. Reducing our ecological footprint in the community is important to us. Our actions not only impact us but also future generations. If we can make a difference and do our part, we hope it will inspire others to do the same. 

In addition to the Adopt a Highway program, riteSOFT provides employees with one hour per month of paid volunteer time off at the non-profit organization of their choice. Some of our employees volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, Friends of the Library, respite foster care, local churches, and food shelves. We are proud to say that our employees donate hundreds of volunteer hours each year.  

While riteSOFT knows that the time and resources spent volunteering in the community are essential, volunteerism also benefits the company. It helps build stronger teams and enhances leadership and problem-solving skills—all of which transcend into the workplace. Team building through ditch clean up? You bet. We picked up trash and became closer as a team. We encourage others to participate in the Adopt a Highway program or other community initiatives to help keep Minnesota beautiful!