Many benefits to Joining the CFL Challenge

A few weeks ago I posted on the Saratoga Local Living Guide's Community CFL Challenge.

The idea is for people to sign up as "Block Leaders", and handout information to their neighbors to encourage them to swap out their old bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFL's).

I was hesitant to sign up as a Block Leader, in part because if people order bulbs online I'm responsible for distributing them. But, after thinking about it, and realizing I had bulbs I wanted to replace, I decided to sign up. Plus, I've been wanting to meet more of my neighbors. I know those who live just across from me, but I've not met any who live even just a few doors up. So I signed up - and glad I did.

Last week I spent a few hours one evening going door to door to my neighbors. How nice it was to meet those neighbors whom I only see passing by in their cars when I'm out in my yard. All my neighbors are really great, interesting people - living and working here as teachers, nurses, etc.

One of the best parts was discovering two neighbors who couldn't participate because they'd already converted all their bulbs to CFL!!! That was great to hear. The others welcomed me in their homes, we chatted about the challenge, and learned about one another. Now when they go by, we feel less like strangers and more like neighbors. So, besides the cost savings and emissions benefits to becoming a Block Leader, there's also the benefit of getting to know the people who share your neighborhood.

The CFL Challenge goes until June 18th. Besides the reduced price in bulbs, some additional benefits to buying bulbs include:
Saratoga Apple- 1 free apple for every bulb purchased (up to 5)
Four Seasons- 2% off for every bulb purchased (up to 20%)
Esperantos- 2% off for every bulb purchased (up to 20%)
Dawgdom- (good if you see they have a dog)- Free dog treat. No purchase necessary. Also 20% off everything in store.

Please consider signing up to become a Block Leader. You'll need to attend a short 1/2 hr informational meeting - but all the other benefits make it worth it.

Here's more info and links on the challenge.

The Saratoga Community CFL Challenge is a 2-month campaign that provides incentive for residents to replace standard incandescent light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescents (CFLs). The goal of the campaign is to save residents’ $36,000 on utility bills and keep 311,100 pounds of climate changing emissions from entering the atmosphere.

This is a great opportunity to purchase CFL lightbulbs at a reduced price from Allerdice, a locally owned hardware store, reduce your energy bills and get to know your neighbors.

The Community CFL Challenge is a grassroots effort that utilizes a network of volunteers to reach out to the neighbors on their block. Neighbors are given a coupon code to use to purchase bulbs through the Saratoga CFL Challenge website or at Allerdice Building Supply.

Go to www.locallivingguide.com/cfl for more information on how to sign up or become a block leader, reduced pricing on CFL's bulbs, and learn more about the campaign.

For more information contact Jonathan Greene, Local Living Guide Coordinator at info@locallivingguide.com or call (518) 632-6768