Project Porchlight Blog

Everyone has the power to adapt and make a change, no matter what their circumstances. That’s the message John Relaford (pictured here) wants to share with the world. And he’s certainly in a position to speak on the subject. The Port Orchard, WA resident has been given more challenges than the average person—not that you’d know it to talk to him. Legally blind, John has only partial vision in one eye. But that hasn’t stopped him from running a successful freelance photography business, getting around independently on a customized bicycle, volunteering his time to help better the community, and having an unfettered desire to explore the world and discover new things.

“Most people have 20/20 vision and they see through both eyes,” says John. “So they actually end up taking a lot for granted. They get blasé about the world around them, and I’m not that way.”

One of the things he feels people take for granted is the use of modern technology. They’re so accustomed to the gadgets and gizmos in their homes, he says, that they never give a second thought to using them. John took the opportunity to enlighten the Port Orchard community when he volunteered for Project Porchlight—and partner Puget Sound Energy’s Rock the Bulb campaign—at Lowe’s on August 15 and 16. He signed up for two six-hour shifts and used the time to hand out free compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and introduce local residents to the perils of “energy vampires.”

“Energy vampires are little gadgets (like VCRs and CD players) that are always using power,” explains John. “People had the most startled reactions when they found out that a lot of the gadgets in their homes are still on even when they think they’re off.” In reality, those devices must be unplugged to ensure that they aren’t still draining energy. John was impressed by how quickly the people in his community changed their attitudes after spending a few minutes at his station. “When you get to talking with them, they’re actually quite amazed at what they can do to save some money and make things more efficient,” he says.

More than likely, they were also amazed by the man who delivered the message that simple actions matter. John is quite well known within Port Orchard. Not only is he an active volunteer—he’s President of the Friends of the Port Orchard Library—but his photography services are widely used in the community. His portfolio includes birds, portraits, and weddings. But his favourite subject to photograph is nature. He has a great appreciation for the environment and his natural surroundings, an interest he attributes to his visual impairment. “I had to learn how to adapt and it caused me to become an explorer,” he says. “I just explore everything.”

Exploring is exactly what he hopes the people of Port Orchard—and throughout America—will do when it comes to finding ways of conserving energy and reducing their impact on the environment. He urges them not to assume they’re already doing enough. “The message I would tell people is to conduct a little study,” he says. “Find out the things they can add to what they’re already doing (to reduce waste). It will be beneficial to everyone if we all do this, and it starts with each individual thing.”

Those are strong words coming from a man who has truly lived them: take a second look at your actions and never underestimate the power you have to do more.

Washington state’s oldest local energy utility, Puget Sound Energy serves more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers in 11 counties. A subsidiary of Puget Energy, PSE meets the energy needs of its growing customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service and delivering energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible. For more information, visit www.PSE.com.