New Hampshire, USA --
It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday bustle: shopping,
decorating, parties, and preparation. Our to-do lists can seem endless,
but we carry on because it is that special time of year, a season of
giving.
We here at RenewableEnergyWorld.com would like you to take a few
brief minutes out of your hectic schedule to consider those that are
less fortunate, and the organizations that believe the season of giving
doesn't end after the holidays, but lasts all year long.
A special thanks goes out to our Twitter followers
who took the time to recommend their favorite non-profits for this
piece. Be sure to check out the last page for all of their suggestions,
and please feel free to leave your own personal favorites in the
comments below.
Philippines Support
Typhoon
Haiyan struck the Philippines one month ago, affecting nearly 12
million people and killing more than 6,000. Today, many people are still
sitting in the dark and utilities say that some power plants may not be
fully repaired for an entire year.
What better way to help victims than giving them the gift of light.
One Million Lights Philippines provides solar-powered lights to
rural, off-grid communities, but the organization is now also shipping
lights to Typhoon Haiyan victims. Established in 2010 by three high
school students, One Million lights began shipping solar power to
impoverished communities in the Philippines in 2011.
The organization hopes to curb climate change and lower energy
expenses by helping communities switch from oil to solar. Today,
hundreds of student volunteers have worked to ship more than 5,000
lights and impact more than 30,000 Filipinos.
Donate directly to the cause here, or even buy you own solar light — One Million Lights will send one light to the Philippines with each purchase.
“Without light, relief work stops. We are helping relief workers in
disaster areas by equipping them with solar lights and charging.” The
Solar Energy Foundation is also working to bring solar energy to rural
Philippines, but it is now shifting its focus to relief support.
The Solar Energy Foundation is working with on-the-ground relief
organizations in the hardest-hit areas of Typhoon Haiyan, starting in
Tacloban, Ormoc, Iloilo, Roxas City, and Busuanga. The organization is
providing solar-powered lighting, charging, and communication to support
partner organizations that are trying to navigate the disaster and help
bring Filipinos to safety. These relief organizations include: Red
Cross, Peace and Equity Foundation, TaosPuso Foundation, Life Bank
Foundation, Iloilo-CODE, CCT, and CARD.
Each $50 donation immediately deploys one lamp to help these organizations; donate here. Follow relief updates here.
WE CARE SOLAR is another organization working to aid relief efforts. A 2013 CNN Hero,
founder Dr. Laura Stachel is bringing her “Solar Suitcases” to those in
need of medical attention in the Philippines. Stachel originally
created the kits to promote healthy, safe childbirth in rural
communities.
The Solar Suitcase is a portable medical kit that includes LED
lighting, a universal cell phone charger, battery charger, and outlets
for 12-Volt DC devices – all of which is powered with its 40- or 80-Watt
solar panels and a 12-amp-hour sealed lead-acid battery.
According to its website, Solar Suitcase features include:
- Whole System Integration: The lighting appliances and power production components are delivered as one unit, designed for daily use.
- Safety: The sealed batteries can safely be stored inside health facilities; the low-voltage DC system avoids shock hazard and includes overcurrent protection.
- Simplicity: One switch turns on the system; another turns on lights and charges devices. The system is plug-and-play and can be installed without need for an experienced solar technician.
- Expandability: The 15-amp modular system is designed for expansion and can accommodate up to 200 Watts of solar panels and a 140 amp-hour sealed battery.
Donate through the CNN Heroes website and Subaru will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.
Solar Suitcase image: Doc Ted Esguerra preparing to bring a Solar
Suitcase for humanitarian relief efforts in Kananga and Tacloban.
Credit: The Solar Energy Foundation.
Non-Profits that Help Non-Profits — Double Win
Efficient spending, easy breathing
U.S.-based Everybody Solar helps bring solar to communities in need.
The organization works to put solar on local charities in order to cut
their electricity costs, which helps them put their funding where it is
needed most: the community.
Its latest project
aims to help Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, Calif., a charity that
provides job training for former gang members to prevent recidivism.
Homeboy Industries’ electricity bill currently stands at around $500 a
month, so solar can help the organization save thousands each year.
Everybody Solar partnered with Grid Alternatives to install the
project and rock band Trapdoor Social to help raise money for the 5- to
10-kW system. So far, the project has reached about half of its $20,000
goal.
You can help support Everybody Solar here. You can also support the Homeboy Industries project specifically by donating on Pledge Music here (and get some great music in return).
“Instead of funding coal, we’re funding families.”
With offices in Nevada and California, Black Rock Solar focuses on
providing solar energy systems for non-profit entities and underserved
regions. It narrows its focus further on rural and tribal communities.
Established in 2007, Black Rock Solar has installed more than 3 GW of
solar on 60 separate arrays. It was also crucial in the success of
America’s Solar Highway (Nevada Highway 447), which has more distributed
solar per mile than any other highway in the U.S. Black Rock installed
several systems for Native American communities along the highway.
In addition to its solar installation work, Black Rock Solar is
committed to education. It conducts field trips to many of its arrays so
students can have a hands-on solar learning experience. It recently won
a $2,000 matching grant for this work, and must raise another $2,000 by
December 31st to receive the money.
Donate here to help Black Rock Solar achieve its goals.
Building Sustainable Communities
Renewable World
Our work transforms lives.
Reminiscent of our recent Solar Project of the Year winners,
Renewable World works to bring renewable energy to remote communities
where “financial or geographical barriers prevent private sector
solutions being effective.”
It specifically tailors each project by partnering with other
appropriate organizations, companies and entrepreneurs so that it not
only brings power to these communities, but also education, income,
governance, health and more.
Renewable World projects are built on six layers of support:
- Technical analysis and development
- Social investment and financing
- Strengthening governance and institution building
- Ensuring sustainable and scalable impacts
- Community development and ownership models
- Business model development and cash flow analysis
Its ultimate goal is to alleviate poverty and create a successful, sustainable community, whether it’s through solar- and wind-power irrigation for farmers in Mozambique or a community biogas project in Nepal.
There are several fun ways that you can help support Renewable World.
Spread some holiday cheer and support Renewable World simultaneously by
purchasing e-cards, buy a sustainable gift in the shop, or fundraise with a challenge or event. You can also directly donate to the cause here.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/the-season-of-giving-5-charities-that-need-your-help
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