About 100 Williams College students, faculty, and staff participated in the third annual Winter Blitz day of weatherization. The volunteers, in groups of 4-8, weatherized 25 homes in Northern Berkshire County.
Prior to setting out 30 team leaders learned the how-tos of basic weatherization measures such as window caulking, weatherstripping and low-energy lightbulbs early Saturday morning. This year’s training was conducted by students Jen Rowe, Hamza Zaidan, Lexi Carr. Supplies were ordered through the Center for Ecological Technology (CET).
Weatherizing these homes will save money and energy for the residents and bridge connections between students and the community. Weatherization helps conserve energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, endeavors that received support from Washington in the stimulus package.
Householders were very appreciate of the efforts of the students. “I just wanted to send you a note and let you know that the crew that came to my house on Saturday was awesome! The baby came early so we ended up being home and the group was great working around him, asking about changing light bulbs due to mercury etc. A huge help to me this year!!!”, wrote a program participant.
“The Winter Blitz gave me a chance to get out in the community while helping my neighbors and the environment,” says participant and organizer, Zina Cigolle ‘12.
Student interns and volunteers for the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives are organizing and coordinating the event for its third year.
“We have benefited immensely from learning and interacting with local agencies and are so lucky that they have been encouraging us to dabble for a day in the great work they are doing all year,” says Jen Rowe ’11. “All of us are excited to see the Winter Blitz enter its third year as a fun and memorable day of community service.”
Megamenu Social