TRENTON, NJ - Efforts by Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells and the Governor's Office of Volunteerism to promote the importance of citizen action volunteer service as part of "October Month of Service" in New Jersey will soon get a boost in primetime television. 

The four major television networks - ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX - have teamed up to spotlight the power of service and volunteering in their top-rated primetime television shows from October 19-26. The unprecedented initiative, "I Participate," is led by the Entertainment Industry Foundation in collaboration with the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency whose mission is to promote service and volunteering.

Executives from more than 60 of television's most popular shows, including 30 Rock, Desperate House Wives, CSI: New York, and Grey's Anatomy, have agreed to impart themes of service and volunteerism in their shows.

"Next week, millions of television viewers will hear messages of the importance and value of service and volunteering in addressing unmet needs facing so many families in these challenging economic times," said Secretary Wells.  "Our own ‘October Month of Service' has been a tremendous success by engaging citizens in volunteerism events statewide, and solidifying New Jersey's status as an innovative force for promoting and coordinating community service programs throughout the year. This is a great time to get involved."

More than 20 events have been coordinated throughout the state for the "October Month of Service" campaign, including events to be offered by corporate, educational and non-profit leaders such as Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Prudential, Rutgers University, the American Red Cross and the United Way.

A full list of "October Month of Service" programs can be found on the Governor's Office of Volunteerism website:  www.state.nj.us/state/calendar-volunteer/calendar1.htm.

The Governor's Office of Volunteerism and AmeriCorps, in the Department of State, are committed to increasing awareness of the need for volunteers statewide and simplifying the process of finding the most appropriate opportunity using a new, interactive volunteerism website, www.volunteernewjersey.org.  The site is designed to serve as the state's one-stop resource for individuals and organizations, facilitating communication and coordination efforts statewide.

Individuals can access volunteer opportunities, create a volunteer profile, search a continually updated calendar of events, and review agency outlines.  Organizations can recruit volunteers, track staff hours, and publicize events.  At present, there are more than 1,150 volunteer opportunities in 431 agencies, sorted by zip code, city or county, or statewide. 

To learn more about the work of the Governor's Office of Volunteerism, AmeriCorps, and the diverse array of programs and services under the Department of State purview, visit www.state.nj.us/state.