$10,000 Contribution Challenge for Solar for Our Schools

Info Session: Friday, October 24, 5 – 7 p.m., Orcas Center Madrona Room

— from Michel Vekved, San Juan Islands Conservation District —

The Orcas Odd Fellows is challenging our community to match their generous $10,000 contribution to the Solar for Our Schools program. They have made a commitment to our community, to our schools, and to a solar energy future. This is exciting news with a deliberate sense of urgency.

“What a great opportunity – helping kids learn about solar energy, and reducing the schools energy bills,” said Odd Fellows Noble Grand Robin Kucklick. “The kids and renewable energy are our future. We decided that as a group we would contribute $250 for each of 41 (forty-one) Odd Fellows ($10,250 total), and ask the community to at least match that. Let’s get this project going!”
Kucklick added, “In addition to the community good of this program, the beauty of this contribution is that it’s a loan – we get our money back and can reuse it for other great causes, like our scholarship program. We hope that other organizations and community members will contribute to meet our challenge!”

“This is a significant contribution and show of support for our project,” says Michel Vekved, Solar for Our Schools Coordinator. “We are grateful for their contribution and welcome the challenge which will help us make a greater impact by generating more contributions.”

The intent of this community project will be to put solar panels on our schools and provide renewable energy education for our students. Odd Fellows are known for their meaningful projects in our community and this one has a big impact for our school, reducing electricity costs and providing students and teachers with renewable energy curriculum and science kits.

Odd Fellows will match up to $10,000 in contributions made to the Solar for Our Schools program by November 30th. Please consider making your contribution now to help us realize the potential behind this very generous and earnest contribution. You can contribute online, sign up for information at the Food Coop or contact us.

Every dollar counts towards putting solar panels on our schools on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw. This is an opportunity to put your money where your values are – our community, our schools, and renewable energy – and receive full payback. All contributors within the OPALCO service territory are eligible for annual production incentive payments.

This challenge grant adds to the fundraising momentum generated over the past couple months with contributions so far of $85,000 towards our overall goal of $200,000.

Come hear about Solar for Our Schools at the upcoming Energy Pie Socials. You are invited to a fun, informative, and most of all delicious event for the entire community to talk about the energy future of the San Juans.

• October 21, Lopez, Grace Hall
• October 23, San Juan, Brickworks
• October 24, Orcas, Orcas Center Madrona Room

For more information: www.sjislandscd.org/community-solar, call 376-6621, or email solar@sjislandscd.org.