Chesapeake Bay Volunteer-a-thon - April 17th, 6pm

We've all heard of telethons, and when times are good, many of us reach into our pockets and donate funds to help support our favorite causes.

This Sunday, April 17th, starting at 6:00 PM, Maryland Public Television will be broadcasting their fifth annual Chesapeake Bay Volunteer-A-Thon, allowing environmentally concerned citizens to pledge  time,  rather than money, to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

"The volunteer-a-thon gives families, individuals, clubs and organizations the opportunity to come together to make a positive impact on the environmental health of our communities," said Kristin Cook, MPT’s Volunteer Coordinator for Chesapeake Bay Week™ since 2008.

"MPT offers volunteers of all skill sets the opportunity to help a broad range of organizations, everything from trail and river cleanups to answering phones and assisting with mailings."

The broadcast also features profiles on organizations around the state that are already making a difference by lending their support.

More than 500 groups and individuals participated in last year’s watershed restoration efforts, led by nearly 30 environmental nonprofits—a number Cook said is expected to grow in 2011.

"With the help of our volunteers, MPT raised nearly 15,000 hours of support across the region in 2010, the equivalent of 46 calendar days of cleanup efforts," Cook said. "Each year Bay Week and the Volunteer-a-thon are gaining momentum in our communities as awareness for protecting and restoring the bay continues to grow," Cook added. "We just want people to know how easy it is to make a difference."

The Chesapeake Bay Week Volunteer-a-thon airs Sunday, April 17 at 6:00 p.m. Interested volunteers are also encouraged to visit mpt.org/bayweek/volunteer to print and return this form or call (410) 581-4035. WTMD (89.7FM NPR) is simulcasting the Volunteer-a-thon, and WTMD General Manager Steve Yasko makes a guest appearance.

To read full press release.