Mark Carter runs for Center for the Inland Bays

Mark Carter, who was hired in June as Delaware Center for the Inland Bays director of development, is literally beating the sidewalk to raise money for the organization.

To create awareness for Do More 24 Delaware nonprofit giving day March 3 and 4, Carter ran two-mile loops in Delaware Seashore State Park and across Indian River Inlet bridge every two hours for 24 hours. He started his runs at 6 p.m., March 2, finishing at 6 p.m., March 3.

Carter is fulfilling his job description, which includes fundraising, event planning and leadership of the center based at the state park near the bridge.

Carter, an outdoor enthusiast, said his only concern was getting in the runs before the predicted wind and rain hit the area. He was also a little tired, getting only two hours of sleep.

More than $9,700 was donated to the Center for the Inland Bays.

The center’s goals are to preserve, protect and restore the Inland Bays, including Rehoboth, Indian River and Little Assawoman, and their tributaries. For more information on the center, go to inlandbays.org.

In all, more than $2.37 million was donated during the 24-hour event to support 571 nonprofits. Among small organizations, Shepherd’s Office in Georgetown was atop the leaderboard with 635 donations and second in amount with $56,230 pledged to the homeless outreach program.

The Barbara K. Brooks Transitional House in Sussex County had the most donations at $67,310. The program is for women who have recently completed drug or alcohol rehabilitation.

Throughout the state, the Milton, Georgetown and Lewes Zip code areas had the most donors in the state.

Other Sussex County organizations on the leaderboard include Southern Delaware Orchestra, Historic Lewes Farmers Market, Coastal Concerts, Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre, Rehoboth Concert Band, Southern Delaware Chorale, Possum Point Players, and Rehoboth Beach Film Society and its Cinema Art Theater.