And take a moment to think about it from their point of view:
It's an easy job to get, with a higher turnover ratio than wal-mart.
Meaning, they hate their job already, and usually are the dreggs of society.
Also, EVERYONE uses the excuses: "i dont have a job, i lost my job, i cant afford it, i already donated, i only donate locally" etc...
If they gave up after you gave them an excuse (truth or not) they wouldnt make ANY MONEY.  They have pre-fabricated responses to all of these excuses because we hear them about 80% of phone calls.  There's nothing unique and witty you can come up with that they haven't heard already - I promise you that.  
Stay polite, tell them to remove your name and number from the list, and record what date and time you did that.  Then, if they call again, record that as well on a piece of paper. Then confirm these calls either on your phone statement or with the phone company themselves, and get yourself a cash reward for them not listening.  However, if you're polite and not a jerk, they will remove your information and it will not be resold.

HOW TO MAKE TELEMARKETERS STOP CALLING YOU -

I was a telemarketer before. Here's how to prevent them from calling:

First of all - DO NOT PICK UP THE PHONE AND JUST HANG UP! (YOU WILL JUST BE REDIALED MULTIPLE TIMES)

Believe it or not, Midwest Publishing Inc, or MPI, Is the one of the most legitimate organizations when it comes to following the law as its written.  Meaning, they have to always tell the truth, and follow your wishes as well.  Ask them where they're calling from, ask how much goes to the organization, etc.

If you wish not to be called in the future - ASK THEM TO REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM THE LIST, AND NEVER CALL AGAIN.  The company policy enforces them to not call you again, and any subsequent calls can result in an immediate reward of $500 for mini-tort violation against your person, and more if they do keep calling.  

They give more than 5% to the organizations they represent, however it is usually not more than 20%.  If you ask them how much is actually handed over, they will work.  

As far as the "DO NOT CALL REGISTRY" is concerned... MPI represents non-profit organizations - and are therefore COMPLETELY ALLOWED TO CALL YOU.  If you are speaking to a representative who knows anything, they are instructed with the reply of:
"I apologize for the inconvience, but as you know, the Federal Do Not Call Registry does not apply to  calls made on behalf of Charities and Non-Profits.  Congress and the FTC are sensitive to the good work of non-profit organizations, and their need to share their message with the public."  at which point, they will try to return to the pitch.
By requesting to have your number removed from their list/never be called again, they have to immediately stop the pitch and end the call by removing your number.
You CAN ask to speak to a manager, however any representative is taught about the number removal request, and will be able to remove your name.  

Bottom line:  Simply don't be a jerk.  by arguing with them and making them angry, you will remove any potential communication with them and simply end up getting called again.  Ask them to never call again - that simple.  By just picking up the receiver and promptly hanging up - I GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET CALLED BACK!  Be polite, be reasonable.  

For anyone who gets tons of calls a day, and just hangs up on them, I PROMISE that if you spend just 2 days picking up those calls, telling them to remove your name and number from their list and never call again - POLITELY  - you will see ALL of those calls virtually stop.  

I can assure you of that.  When I was a telemarketer, I would see the same number pop up on my screen day after day because they would just pick up and then hang up.  This would lead to multiple companies calling time after time, and by the time they finally answered they would be furious and it would be an extremely unproductive call.  It would usually result in me being swore and cussed at while I tried to politely explain our rules and laws, until they hung up.  However, without the actual request to be removed, they are required by the company to just schedule you for a redial at a later time - either that day or in a few days.  

You can't sue them for calling you just because you're on the Do Not Call Registry, they give more than 5%, it is not a "scam" by definition, and they follow the law.  Follow this advice and you will see your solicitation calls finally come to an end.  

I hope this helps, and by the way, just about every other person that has posted has lied and given false directions and advice on how to fix this problem.  Trust me, try answering the calls, asking them to remove your information from their database, and stay polite.  It works.

Did not leave a message.

I called the number back and got a recording saying:  "Thank you for calling the fundraising information center..."

Calls every day at 10:00am, does not leave a message.  On the DNC list, but still receiving this call.

calls at least twice a day.  No message.  ID says "local call" which it is not.  Also on the DNC list

We keep getting a call from this number and we let the answering machine answer because we don't recognize this number.  Whoever it is never leaves a message. It's very annoying to keep getting this call every day.  We are also on the Do Not Call List.

Received numerous calls from this number - does not leave a message. As with the other commenters, I'm also on the DNC list.

Calls every day, no message left when answering machine answers. Caller ID shows the call is coming from Chesapeake, VA. Also on DNC list but still receiving this call.

Stop calling we are on DO NOT CALL LIST.

Unsolicited calling

repeated calls.  call disconnects with no message when the answering machine answers.  seems to be an automatic dialer originated call.

This was an unsolicited call, despite sigining for Do Not Call.

same thing, not only this number, but others 1-540-318-7335,--317-225-4694 and other numbers that just say LOCAL CALL on my caller id. caller never leaves a message, I assume it is a telemarketer... thanks for the info.

The same as al above is saying. It says local calls and all it is , is those ANNOYING solicitors. Another number that shows up is 757-512-5888. When you see that number DO NOT ANSWER it..

This is a national fundraising organization that calls everyday and from different states after I don't answer anymore.  After explaining to them that I am on a DNC list they said that doesn't apply to charities.

Ahhh!!!!  Just started getting these TODAY!!!!  Used to be a quote "police protection fund" from yet a different number.  These guys are scams...I talked to the Virginia State Police myself...Don't answer....if you get assertive with them, they'll just call back more often to annoy you.

unwanted call despite do not call registry

I picked up the the first time I saw this number thinking someone might be trying to reach me from a payphone despite the fact everyone I know has a cell phone. I said hello but the person obviously didn't hear me since he was busy speaking to someone else in the bacground. I heard him mention something about getting food from McDonald's. I listened for a few seconds and then, hung up. I no longer pick the phone up when I see this number.

These are fund raising calls from the Fraternal Order of Police.

I just pick up the phone and don't say anything till they hang up

Just checked into the Do Not Call registry rules.  Charities and businesses with whom you're already done business may continue to call you.  It appears that this organization, since it is working for a charity, may still continue to call people - a fact that totally sucks.

Same as everyone else.  On the Do Not Call list and still receive NUMEROUS calls from this and other numbers listed.

now instead of the 757 number the calls are coming from "private number"
how do I make them stop!  I have asked them to remove me.  I have told them I no longer donate to the state police over the phone.  I have hung up on them.  I have put my name on the do not call list.  
How do I make them STOP!??  I don't mind donating to the VA state police - I am just tired of these calls

757-644-4142 ... have noticed this number frequently of late... I don't answer and they don't leave a message... also have calls from "Local call" ... why in the world would I want to donate to police in Virginia when I live in Indiana? how silly is that? waste of time... and how sad that they are making calls on Mother's Day Sunday!!

This so called "local call" has called my house 5 times in the last two weeks.

frequent calls, no messages, hang ups when my hub's not here (they ask for him by name b/c he donated years ago before i met him, and now i have to pay for it by managing the phone lines at home!). i want them to stop calling me. period.

Its sad when even after you tell them that you have lost your job that they still ask for money!!!  And worry the crap out of you!

This number has called two times here in the last two hours. When I pick up the phone, nobody is there. Makes sense that it is the State Police b/c we donated to a few months ago. We have asked to be taken off the list b/c they call constantly now. Apparently, this does no good.

Not sure if the numbers match.  I will check.