(Colchester, March 31, 2008) During the March membership drive, Vermont Public Radio offered a challenge to listeners: the town or city with the largest percentage of pledges would win the help of VPR staff on Green Up Day - May 3, 2008. And that winner was Perkinsville in the town of Weathersfield.

More than 25 VPR staff will participate in Perkinsville's Green Up Day, along with several members of the VPR board of directors. In helping to clean up the community, they will be available to remove litter from roads, parks and common areas.

"In considering a way to serve a single community, we were excited by the idea of assisting in the Green Up effort," says Vermont Public Radio President Mark Vogelzang. "VPR very much wants to do its part as an environmentally aware business. In fact, our next fund drive will have a ‘green' focus."

Green Up Day takes place on the first Saturday in May. A thirty-seven-year-old tradition, Vermont's Green Up effort is spearheaded by Green Up Vermont, whose mission is "to promote the stewardship of our state's natural landscape and waterways and the livability of our communities by involving people in Green Up Day and raising public awareness about the benefits of a litter-free environment."

"It was interesting to watch the evolution of this particular fundraising challenge," says Vogelzang. "Many people were inspired to visit the VPR website and offer support on behalf of their town, and for this we are especially grateful."

Individuals can see how their town did in the VPR Town Challenge by visiting vpr.net/town_challenge.php. Vermont Public Radio, Vermont's only state-wide public radio network, provides news coverage and music that is both substantive and entertaining. Now with two services, VPR and VPR Classical, the station is an independent source for the exchange of ideas, information and culture, deepening listeners' understanding of their community and the world. Vermont Public Radio is committed to maintaining the highest standards of journalism and enriching public dialogue with a distinctive voice that reflects this region. A complete list of frequencies is available at vpr.net, as well as streaming audio from VPR, VPR Classical, BBC World Service and the Vermont Legislature.