We Need Your Help!
Kristin Eggen, Communications
For many people in northeast Iowa, April is a time for planting, for budding trees, for shedding the layers of winter. For WED’s Green Iowa AmeriCorps team, April has meant “fundraising”. We desperately need a safe, reliable vehicle to continue helping others in Northeast Iowa. Will you read our story and make a contribution to help us reach our goal?
Our Wheels, Our Work
The team’s van is an essential tool which enables the energy and cost-saving work of the Green Iowa AmeriCorps team. For nearly a decade the Green Iowa AmeriCorps has done home energy efficiency assessments in the region, serving over 1,000 homes. They offer free services to veterans, low-moderate income households, and elderly or disabled folks. Over the years we’ve seen the team’s work significantly lower utility bills and save homeowners money, improve home comfort, refer homeowners to other helpful agencies, and identify home safety concerns. All while decreasing residential CO2 emissions emitted in our region.
The team serves the six counties in northeast Iowa: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, Chickasaw, and Winneshiek. We put a lot of miles on our van because there is a great need for our First Step Energy Efficiency program in northeast Iowa’s aging housing stock.
Putting Bertha to Pasture
Here at WED, we’ve been monitoring the longevity of the team’s 2003 Ford Windstar for a few years now, asking the questions: “how’s the van doing?”, “how many more repairs should we do?” and “have you gotten the rear door to latch yet?”. With over a dozen chronic ailments, our van – affectionately named “Bertha”- has reached the point where it no longer provides our team the safe, reliable transportation to and from over 120 audits each year.
So we’re raising $9000 to “Replace Our Ride”
We’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign on fundly.com and are also accepting contributions through the mail (PO Box 14, Decorah, IA 52101). We know that it’s a big chunk of cash to raise, but know that 1) It’s essential to continuing our work, and 2) If everyone who knows about our work donated a small-but-mighty amount, we’d meet our goal by our self-imposed deadline of April 30th.
We wanted to make it fun, so we came up with little gifts for those who give at the $25+, $50+, $100+, or $500+ levels.
Can you take five minutes to help in these two ways?
1) Make a contribution to the campaign. Any amount is helpful.
2) Share this campaign with your friends and family, via email with colleagues, with the groups that you are a part of, or on social media. Help share the story of the amazing work the Green Iowa AmeriCorps group does and how they need your support to continue!
In the meantime, you’ll see Bertha driving (cautiously) around northeast Iowa or resting in a Decorah parking lot. Her windows are painted with our campaign slogan and we know that she has been instrumental to lowering utility bills for northeast Iowans.
Any amount helps! Thank you for your generous contribution to our continued work in Northeast Iowa.