Cold Lake was cold but the 4-H [1] clubs and other Porchlight volunteers we met were warm.

Janaki and I encountered a fine showing of volunteers - youth and their parents and leaders - who had a good understanding of the Porchlight campaign. We assembled our banners and signs and soon opened up with an orientation session. We could tell that despite the cold weather there was an eagerness to get out in their communities with the lists they'd been provided with.

With an emphasis on safety, including keeping warm, and the principles of our campaign, Janaki and I showed everyone how to pack the bulbs - there were boxes and bags waiting to be compiled for delivery - and the whole room became the site of production with teams lining up to get a box or two and a bag to prepare for their routes.

Soon afterward, Maeghan, the 4-H M/C, gave an overview of Project Porchlight and acknowledged EnCana Corporation's [2] and the Government of Alberta's [3] sponsorship. Maeghan introduced me, and I received a warm round of applause! I asked all the boys and girls to raise their hands and then I asked the older boys and girls to do the same. Next, I helped to illustrate how easy it is to do something about reducing energy costs and helping the planet - just the simple act of reaching up and changing a light bulb. Then I told them that they were going the extra mile because they would be helping so many others come to know how easy it is to do this - a simple action that matters!

Jennifer from EnCana said her bit before we all headed out for bulb delivery and a photo opportunity. We descended on the home of the CFB Cold Lake Commander and then the home of Lt. Col. Mike Moore. Lt. Col. Moore (Mike) was enthusiastic about our visit and told us he'd already changed all his light bulbs to energy-efficient CFLs. Lt. Col. Moore facilitated permission for us to canvass on the base and offered to distribute our media info to the community paper.

When Jennifer and Torah, the EnCana reps, brought us back to the school after bulb delivery, we were locked out! Our stuff was locked up inside, but Jennifer saved the day by making a series of phone calls and getting through to the Shelley with the key and having her return from her own community bulb delivery to the school.

Lunch chez Tim Horton de Cold Lake finished the day in style. Thank you, Cold Lake!