The Friends of KET, a statewide group of devoted volunteers, celebrates its 50^th anniversary this month.

The group was founded on Aug. 16, 1971, with early volunteers serving as tour guides to KET’s network center and assisting with pledge drives. Over the next 50 years, the group would grow to include members representing 35 districts across the Commonwealth.

Today, members of The Friends of KET are passionate advocates and knowledgeable ambassadors for their communities. And they provide feedback and support activities that have made them as essential part of KET’s operations and services.

“How fortunate KET is to have such a wonderful network of generous and talented individuals – past and present – that have helped KET in so many ways over the last five decades,” said Shae Hopkins, KET’s executive director and CEO. “We salute and thank our outstanding ambassadors, The Friends of KET, for their endless and passionate efforts, and most of all, for their friendship.”

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org, on Twitter @KET and at facebook.com/KET.