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52 M.O.M.S. launches ‘Share the Light’ initiative at parade |
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Sunday, 30 November 2008 |
By GWEN SISSON
Starkville Daily News
Be on the lookout for 52 M.O.M.S. and their children in the Starkville Christmas Parade on Saturday.
The crowd will be walking with flashlights to promote and raise awareness for their Share the Light campaign, designed to share light and warmth with Oktibbeha County neighbors facing a cold winter season.
They will also be selling hot cocoa in front of Polka Tots on Main Street during the parade to help raise money for the project as well as use the cocoa as a reminder that warmth is something we can share this winter.
52 M.O.M.S. has partnered with Helping Hands this winter for Share The Light, helping to pay utility bills and /or provide energy-efficient light bulbs and safe space heaters for residents who need assistance. Bell Building Supply, Lowe’s and East Mississippi Lumber, Inc., are also helping out by serving as drop off points for light bulbs and safe space heaters.
“It is so exciting to be apart of a project that collects tangible items and immediately disperses them out into the community to help someone in need,” said Elizabeth Williams of 52 M.O.M.S. “This week the temperature has shown a drop in degrees and it absolutely warms my heart to know that someone will be warming beside a safe space heater tomorrow evening, instead of chilled and shivering next to an open oven.”
Or a hot plate, there are a lot of unsafe ways people are trying to stay warm in Oktibbeha County. Somewhere in this county, a homebound aging woman in a rocking chair spends her daily hours sitting next to a hot plate for warmth.
There is also a family with four children who live in the county and are unable to pay to refill their gas tank. They leave the oven open to heat the house.
For those facing serious need this winter, Share The Light hopes to reach as many people as possible to keep them warm.
“Without any advertisement, we have collected 10 heaters and $250 for Helping Hands,” Williams said.
52 M.O.M.S. is partnering with Helping Hands to located qualified people for the project, in order to give the most help to people in the most need. Williams also said they are coordinating with home health agencies and local schools to locate people who could benefit from the program.
This project offers three ways for the community to participate in our mission.
• Provide a light at the end of the tunnel — Donate money to Helping Hands to pay the utility bills of pre-screened applicants.
• Shed light for others — Donate energy-efficient light bulbs and safe space heaters to be distributed by Helping Hands and 52 M.O.M.S. During the months of November thru January, we will be accepting donations at three local hardware and supply stores; Bell’s Building Supply, East Mississippi Lumber Company, and Lowe’s.
• See the light for yourself — Be educated on how you can lower energy cost in your own home. Stay warm and save money this winter by following these no-cost and low-cost tips.
Winter energy saving tips
1. Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day so the sun can heat your home. Close them at night.
2. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10 to 15 degree for eight hours and save around 10 percent a year on your heating and cooling bills.
3. Replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed. Have your heating system serviced routinely for efficient operation.
4. Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
5. Water heaters can account for 14-25 percent of your energy bill. Turn down your water heater to 120°F. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
The information cards distributed by 52 M.O.M.S. for the program also has a list of suggestions for ways you can save on your own electric bills, so you can stay warm and save money this winter.
“It’s not just about this winter,” Williams said. “It’s about the big picture. Conserving energy and saving money is something that will benefit everyone.”
Boxes will be available for donations at Lowe’s, Bell Building Supply and at East Mississippi Lumber Company through January. A 52 M.O.M.S. volunteer will be at these locations on Dec.13 and Jan. 17 for any questions you may have about the program, staying warm or saving energy.
For more information about this program, visit the Web site at http://www.52moms.org.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 01 December 2008 )
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