PITCH-IN CANADA Week
PRE Media Release

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATE IN PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK

(City/Town), (Date of release): Volunteers from (name of group) will be scouring (area) for garbage accumulated over the winter as part of PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK, a national campaign to clean up the environment, on (Date and time of event).

"We want to show environmental leadership and instill pride in the beauty of our community," said (first and last name of spokesperson), spokesperson for (name of group)."By picking up garbage and litter we will become more aware of what's being thrown away, what could have been recycled and we'll also have a better understanding of the consequences of littering."

OPTIONAL PARAGRAPH: use only if participating in the PITCH-IN CANADA Pollution Count: As part of their clean-up, local PITCH-IN volunteers will also be participating in PITCH-IN CANADA's Pollution Count. "We will be classifying the litter we find to determine its composition and its possible sources," adds (last name of spokesperson). "If we can determine where this stuff is coming from then we might be able to suggest ways to stop this pollution."

"Volunteers are the backbone of the project," says Alice Johnson, Chair, PITCH-IN CANADA. "Each year, more than one and a half million volunteers participate in various environmental clean-ups and other events in more than 750 communities across Canada. That's a staggering effort, and one which local governments couldn't start to pay for." Johnson adds that she knows local governments appreciate the work of the local PITCH-IN volunteers, especially as communities are faced with financial cutbacks.

PITCH-IN CANADA established PITCH-IN WEEK in 1967. Each year since, youth groups, conservation clubs, schools, church groups, volunteer organizations and municipal governments have taken part in roadside and property clean-ups, recycling drives, habitat improvement and other clean-up events across Canada. The organization promotes its message via its Web Site located at www.pitch-in.ca

PITCH-IN WEEK is supported by many local governments, the media and a number of local community and voluntary organizations, including Scouts Canada, The Girl Guides of Canada, Women's Institutes and many others.

PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK welcomes volunteers in its activities. Call local PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK coordinator (name of coordinator) at (phone number) to find out how you can help. Or visit PITCH-IN CANADA's Web Site at www.PITCH-IN.ca for more information about PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK and to register your project.

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For more information, contact (name of spokesperson) at (phone number).

To contact PITCH-IN CANADA: Fax: (604) 535-4653, Email: pitch-in@pitch-in.ca
Voicemail for PITCH-IN CANADA's President (604) 473-6495
Visit PITCH-IN CANADA's Media Center for more information at www.pitch-in.ca