This coming week lakecity residents and businesses are being asked to bundle up, turn down the heat and donate a sweater or jacket to someone in need.
It’s all part of the inaugural Turn Down the Heat Campaign Feb. 2 to 9 initiated by FortisBC and Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia.
The one-week challenge to turn down the heat at work and at home could play a big part in energy conversation and if you keep it up – just watch the energy bills go down, say organizers.
The project has the enthusiastic support of 19 business improvement associations from Vancouver Island to the Mainland, including the Williams Lake Central Business Improvement Area Association.
The Turn Down the Heat campaign is all about encouraging people to turn down the heat and layer up.
Put on a sweater, add a hoodie, double up your t-shirts – layering is the new cool, organizers say.
In addition to creating more awareness about energy consumption and what can be done to reduce it, the additional goal is to collect 2,500 sweaters for those less fortunate, say organizers.
The Williams Lake DBIA has 14 businesses that will be accepting donations of sweaters and jackets for children to be distributed by the Child Development Centre and for adults to be distributed to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
“Our goal is to collect a minimum of 225 sweaters,” says WLCBIA president Sheila Mortensen. She says gently used sweaters and jackets and even hats, scarves and mitts will be accepted to help families in the community that are struggling financially.
She encourages all businesses and homeowners in Williams Lake join the downtown businesses in the campaign.
“We will all be wearing sweaters to promote energy efficiency,” Mortensen says.
In Williams Lake sweaters and jackets for children and adults can be dropped off at Save On Foods, Lake City Glass, Suzanne’s and Jenny’s, M&M Meats, Lush Beauty Boutique, Elaine’s Natural Foods, J&E Gifts and Treasures, Zone 4 Hairstyling & Tanning, WLCBIA Office, Smashin’ Smoothies, CRD Library, Movies On The Go, Walk Rite Shoe Store, TD Canada Trust.
This is the first time business improvement associations have come together collaboratively to work on a project province wide at the same time.
It is an exciting opportunity to make a difference and promote such an important message of energy conservation, say organizers.