Suzette Lopez does not have the extra money to spend on cookies or magazines even if the money is going toward a good cause. So when a local Cub Scout approached her about buying energy-efficient light bulbs — Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) — to fund his group as well as the Timber Creek High School Band, she was on board. “This is useful. Other things like cookies are a luxury.
This is saving me money on my electric bill and helping a good cause,” said Lopez, who teaches first grade at Avalon Park Elementary. About 40 nonprofit organizations throughout Central Florida have taken part in Orlando Utility Commission’s first annual Light Bulb Fund Raiser, which aims to educate the community about CFLs and get them to replace at least five of the most used light bulbs in their home.
For each bulb they sell, OUC contributes $2 toward the organization. The bulbs cost $4.50 each but use about 75 percent less energy than standard lighting, produce 75 percent less heat and last up to 10 times longer. On average, each bulb saves households $50 in energy and replacements costs a year.
“That is a full tank of gas,” said OUC Program Manager Katherine Johnson. “We use light bulbs because they are a low-cost, simple way for people to save energy at home. It is the easiest first step and it is a very tangible savings. “It is also a great opportunity to educate our younger volunteers selling the bulbs about energy efficiency. But we have a great cross section of the community involved this year.
Senior citizen groups, faith-based groups, soccer teams, Boys and Girls Clubs, high school reunion groups — they are all out there educating the community.” Evelyn Villalobos first heard of the fundraiser from a friend employed by OUC. Now she has 230 children involved, selling bulbs throughout the community.
Two hundred of those children are members of the TCHS Band, whose goal is to sell 50 bulbs per student, and 30 of them are local Cub Scouts who are aiming to sell 25 bulbs per child. All orders are due by May 28 and the bulbs will arrive in July. “The kids are very excited because it is something new. They know they can make a difference while raising money for their groups,” Villalobos said.
“I think we can spread the word pretty quickly. We are working on posters from OUC and we are knocking on doors in neighborhoods throughout East Orlando to educate them about OUC’s energy-saving campaign — Save a Light, Save the World.” Villalobos’ daughter, Melissa Marquez, 14, has always had a passion for the environment. Each month she and Villalobos travel to Melbourne to volunteer at the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. “I want to be a marine biologist,” Melissa said.
“I do not mind giving my time. If it is something I believe in, I will give all of my time.” Melissa said she and her 9-year-old brother, Brandon, have been knocking on doors in their neighborhood educating people about the energy-efficient bulbs. She said even when people decline, she still feels good because they are spreading awareness.
“The more people who know about ways they can help the environment the better,” she said. “It also helps save the money in their pocket, and with the failing economy, who doesn’t need that?” Eva Reyes, OUC senior engineer, replaced each light bulb in her home with CFLs purchased from the TCHS Band.
“I can see the difference. The light quality is the same but I am saving at least $50 a month on my electric bill,” said Reyes, who also replaced her washer and dryer with energy-efficient appliances. She said OUC is testing a pilot program that will help customers see what they are saving. She said this will likely encourage more people to make the switch to energyefficient appliances.
In a few years Reyes’ son will join the TCHS Band so she said she wanted to support the program in its time of need. “I know they are facing budget cuts just like so many other programs, so I want to make sure the program will be there once he graduates to high school.
This is not the same as buying a candle or magazines, where you contribute and get nothing out of it. Here you will.” Selling enough bulbs will earn the Cub Scout group the Serve to Preserve Award, recently established by Governor Charlie Crist. Each day Villalobos spends time making posters, taking her children around the neighborhood to sell bulbs, setting up mass bulb sales in the neighborhood or holding pep rallies to keep the TCHS Band interested and involved.
In addition, she also runs a translation and interpretation business from home. “My children are my motivation. I want to be involved in their activities and I want them to strive for excellence,” she said. “You have to teach by example that they will help their community, volunteer and make someone else’s life better.”
