Archived Outdoors

Aug. 16 telethon is great chance to help the Smokies

out trailcrewIt’s amazing what can happen in just 60 minutes. Each year, the Friends Across the Mountains telethon showcases inspiring images and stories from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and each year individuals, local businesses, and foundations provide necessary support by calling in during the broadcast. The event has raised more than $2.4 million during the last 17 years.

 The Friends Across the Mountains Telethon runs from 7-8 p.,m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, Knoxville’s WBIR-TV Channel 10 and Asheville’s WLOS-TV Channel 13.

 “This broadcast provides a great chance to learn more about this tremendous national resource that’s right in our own backyard,” said Jim Hart, president of Friends of the Smokies.  “We are very thankful for the generous financial support that viewers provide each year to help the park.”

 Friends of the Smokies will contribute more than $1 million this year to fund current park needs, including the ongoing battle to suppress the hemlock woolly adelgid across the Smokies, conservation of black bears in the backcountry, and management of the elk herd in Cataloochee.  Friends will provide more than $275,000 for curriculum enhancement for the Parks as Classrooms environmental education program that serves more than 12,000 students in schools bordering the park.

 Telethon donations can be made online now at www.friendsofthesmokies.org. During the broadcast, volunteers will take phone-in pledges at 877.687.MTNS (6867).

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.