Honoring Dr. King

Volunteers across the country were asked to honor the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by observing a day “ON” rather than a day “OFF,” and our Energy Corps AmeriCorps members turned out on Monday, January 17th, to do just that. Energy Corps members in Arkansas, Montana and Pennsylvania performed service activities that improved local communities.

In Arkansas, Energy Corps members were joined by volunteers from the local Home Depot store, the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club and the Fayetteville Green Team students for a crew of more than 75 individuals (pictured above). This group concentrated their efforts at the Willow Bend affordable housing site in south Fayetteville. The 7-acre development site will eventually boast 40-45 sustainably built, energy efficient homes and Monday’s work involved preparing the site for survey work. Tasks included trimming brush, clearing out invasive species, piling up brush for mulching and removing trash.

In Pennsylvania, our Energy Corps team partnered with the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia to conduct two energy education workshops at the agency’s Green Jobs Training Center. About 20 members and volunteers went door to door in the city’s Kensington neighborhood handing out fliers about the workshops. They also distributed information on winter readiness and energy saving tips. The 50 workshop attendees received free weatherization materials, and information on how to install the materials and save energy. Part of the team is pictured at left. More Pictures are available here.

In Montana, Energy Corps members gathered in Helena to participate in the Dr. King Diversity Day event planned by the AmeriCorps Vista program of Helena. Energy Corps members distributed winter readiness information, energy-savings educational materials and handed out compact fluorescent light bulbs. Members also provided hands-on weatherization assistance to several area homes with materials donated by the Montana Conservation Corps. With the help of a variety of community volunteers, including seniors, the Energy Corps weatherized 12 homes in the Helena area throughout the day. More excellent community services provided by our staff.