Project Porchlight Blog

Porchlight Alberta has launched!

Saturday in Medicine Hat was sunny but brisk - cheery. Perfect for the launch. Regional co-ordinator John Frame had already held an orientation for 50 volunteers and was helped to pack 60 bags by local Kiwanis members. The MedHat newspapers had run a half-page pic of John with bulbs and our recruitment ad. By the time we got to into town last night from Calgary (a three hour drive), we had every hope of a successful event!

But yes, we were nervous. All eyes would be on Medicine Hat today for the first Porchlight launch outside of Ontario. Would it work in the West? Would they dig our swag and swagger?

Well, yeah!

Half an hour before the event, with the Mayor and EnCana's senior team and the Minister of Environment in the room, over 60 people were already there. 4H and Kiwanis joined in, and the room was filled with balloons and kids colouring and Tim's coffee. By the time the speeches started it was standing room only.

A gang went out delivering bulbs. And a line stretched 20-long signing up to deliver more. And by last report, Medicine Hat's got over 500 signed up volunteers!

Kudos to our Alberta team, who were pumped and totally on game. Next: the rest of Alberta. Here we come!