Maryland VegWeek 2010: Success!
Maryland VegWeek 2010 got underway with a kick-off party on Sat., April 24 with more than 50 people in attendance. Special guests Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Sen. Jamie Raskin, Del. Tom Hucker, Del. Jim Gilchrist, and Mont. Co. Council Vice-President Valerie Ervin all signed our pledge to go veg for one week.
In addition to receiving a Mayoral Proclamation from Takoma Park on April 19, at the event Councilmember Ervin presented COK with a Montgomery County Proclamation, officially declaring April 24-30, 2010 as Maryland VegWeek. More than 200 others also signed onto our veg pledge and over a dozen restaurants throughout the state participated by offering special veg menus or discounts on existing veg menus. See photos from our kick-off party and daily VegWeek events – and stay tuned for more updates!
What is Maryland VegWeek?
Compassion Over Killing is excited to present Maryland VegWeek,
a week-long celebration offering a wonderful opportunity to explore the many delicious
vegetarian options available in and around Maryland as a simple yet effective step each of
us can take to help protect the planet, our health, and animals—one meal at a time.
Maryland VegWeek includes a kick-off party, numerous free VegWeek events, and VegWeek specials at many local businesses.
Participate in VegWeek: "I Pledge to Go Veg for One Week!"
There are 52 weeks in a year, and Maryland VegWeek is encouraging you to dedicate one of
those weeks to explore vegetarian cuisine. We make it easy! Sign up today to pledge to
choose vegetarian foods for the week of April 24-30, and you'll receive a starter pack
with information on vegetarian eating and product coupons, email updates with nutritional
information, delicious recipes, and motivational advice—plus there are free events
to help you succeed in your week-long pledge.
Sign up today!
Who's Pledging to Go Veg?
- Rep. Donna Edwards
- Del. Tom Hucker
- Sen. Jamie Raskin
- Cm. Valerie Ervin
Congresswoman Donna Edwards represents Maryland's 4th Congressional District,
comprising portions of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. Just prior to
serving in Congress, Rep. Edwards worked to improve both labor and human rights
both nationally and internationally.
"I support VegWeek because it encourages healthy living, promotes environmental stewardship, and supports our small businesses and local growers. I look forward to being a vegetarian for a week to sample specials at local restaurants, try new recipes, and take part in a small but effective step towards protecting our planet."
Tom Hucker is a Maryland State Delegate who serves on the Environmental Matters
Committee, and its Natural Resources, Land Use, and Environment Subcommittees. He is the lead
sponsor of legislation to label fur garments in Maryland, and just passed through the House
his bill to ban cruel and indiscriminate leghold traps in Montgomery County. A longtime community
organizer, he has passed legislation to expand pre-kindergarten, to reduce pollution in the
Chesapeake Bay and further protect the civil rights of all Marylanders. Delegate Hucker is
pleased to go vegetarian for VegWeek and challenges his neighbors in District 20 to do the same!
Jamie Raskin is a Democratic State Senator in Maryland representing Silver Spring and
Takoma Park. Pledging to go vegetarian for VegWeek in 2009, Raskin is renewing his pledge and encouraging
others to take one week to explore vegetarian eating.
Montgomery County Council Vice President Valerie Ervin represents District 5,
which includes Kensington, Silver Spring, Takoma Park and Wheaton. She is an advocate for the
interests of working families and improving the lives of children, is committed to making sure
that children have proper nutrition, and advocates for community gardens by spearheading a
pilot program with the Parks Department. Councilmember Ervin is committed to working at the
local and state level to improve the environment and is part of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a
nonprofit organization created to promote public awareness and participation in the restoration
and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.
"I believe that we have to model the behavior that we want to promote, especially when we are
dealing with issues related to healthy lifestyles, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship…"
