Project Porchlight Blog

Six New Jersey residents were the stars of Project Porchlight’s Volunteer Appreciation Reception held November 23 at the Newark Museum in Newark, New Jersey. An impressive assortment of local dignitaries gathered to congratulate the volunteers on their standout efforts to improve energy efficiency across the state.

Also present to celebrate our outstanding volunteers was renowned actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. “Project Porchlight would not be possible without the direct participation of real people in their own communities,” Begley said in an inspiring speech. “Each of you has demonstrated tremendous commitment to your communities, your neighbors and friends. By helping your neighbors to believe that ‘simple actions matter,’ you have been a catalyst for real change.”

Each of the six volunteers has contributed in a significant way to Project Porchlight New Jersey’s campaign to distribute energy-efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to residents across the state. Project Porchlight is an initiative of One Change, and the campaign is made possible thanks to funding by the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP).

One Change Founder and President Stuart Hickox was delighted to attend the event. “It was a great evening with lots of volunteers,” he said. “We were just thrilled to be able to acknowledge the support, dedication, and hard work of so many people--not just the volunteers, but also the New Jersey staff who have made this possible over the last 18 months.”

Now in its second year, Project Porchlight has worked with more than 2,700 volunteers and delivered more than 800,000 CFL bulbs in cities and towns throughout New Jersey. Our volunteers harness the power of person-to person communication, reaching and influencing people from all walks of life to take part in energy conservation. Project Porchlight’s volunteers help us distribute energy-efficient CFL bulbs in their neighborhoods and their apartment buildings, and at their schools, clubs, and places of worship.

“Anybody could just deliver a bunch of light bulbs—the Post Office could do that,” said Stuart. “We appeal to people in their own neighborhoods to be the carriers of the bulb and the message that simple actions matter. Like Ed Begley, Jr. said, we’re using light bulbs to change people, not people to change light bulbs. That’s really powerful.”

Project Porchlight Campaign Manager Sheila Foreman extended her gratitude to all of our volunteers. “Our volunteers are crucial because we can not do it alone. The volunteers are the community. They are the foundation and will create a domino effect, like the quote ‘each one, teach one.’ Volunteers are the voice of the campaign, and they assist in motivating the pubic,” she said. “We felt it was very important to acknowledge the volunteer contributions which have helped make the New Jersey campaign a success.”

The six volunteers honored at the Volunteer Appreciation Reception were Michelle Byrnes of River Edge, whose work with several Girl Scouts troops often connects with Project Porchlight; the tireless Dianne Clark of Voorhees; Joe DeRado, an extraordinary eight-grader from Manahawkin; Valerie Frick, co-founder of the wonderful Camden Children’s Garden; Christina Notas, Campus Sustainability Coordinator of Drew University in Madison; and Joe Rosendale, a resident of Brick Township who has helped his neighbors at the adult community Greenbriar II become more energy efficient.

“We would not be able to distribute the volume of bulbs and see the resulting energy savings or reductions in greenhouse gas emissions throughout New Jersey without the dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment of our valued volunteers,” said Gail Logan, Director for Communications for One Change. “Tonight, we had an opportunity to highlight six stellar volunteers who have each contributed to Project Porchlight. We will continue to sing their praises!”

Because Project Porchlight is a grassroots campaign, our success is defined by volunteer support. “Volunteers are the life blood of Project Porchlight,” said Gail. “Friends and neighbors going door-to-door in their community is a very powerful catalyst for positive action. There are many groups that do education and awareness on environmental issues. There are also many organizations and companies that share tools and products with consumers to help them save money and energy. Project Porchlight is unique because we mobilize people to bring simple actions to their communities. And as a result, we help to establish new and diverse networks of people in towns and cities throughout New Jersey.”

When it comes to protecting the environment, even something as simple as changing a light bulb is important. One simple action leads to other simple actions, and when combined these actions make an enormous difference--thanks to all of Project Porchlight’s dedicated volunteers!

“I am really thrilled that they thought to honor me,” said honoree Dianne Clark. “Doing this kind of volunteer work is something I had wanted to do for a long time. I think Project Porchlight is a fantastic idea. Once people realize the importance of these CFL bulbs--how they can save them money and the impact they have on saving energy--they just seem to get it. Talking face-to-face with them is really important. We’re not just giving them a light bulb; we’re also explaining it to them. And that’s a win-win situation. It is helping the consumer, and it’s also helping the world.”