Why Help Us?

Before helping a cause, everyone wants to know, “Why?” On this blog, we have had a page up for some time now extensively detailing all the reasons why - but the length of the page seems to be intimidating. Solution? Condense the material.

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So, for those who are pressed for time, I have condensed the reasons why you should help into one, short paragraph.

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The goals of the TJSPI have both an ecological and educational aspect. Although the consequences of using renewable energy are well-known, namely, independence from fossil fuels and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the educational impacts of this project are also immense. TJHSST has an Energy Systems Lab and associated classes. One of the technologies students in these classes study are forms of renewable energy, especially solar energy. Although studying about these systems is beneficial, having a working solar panel array would be phenomenal. And lastly, the solar panels would reduce the energy costs of the school, allowing funds to be redirected to desperately underfunded areas.

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Still have questions? Please do not hesitate to visit our page fully detailing the benefits here, or email us at the.tjspi@gmail.com for more information

J-Day

Well, J-Day, our school’s annual day of activities, food, and fun was held yesterday, May 30th. The TJSPI’s parent organization, the Environmental Impact Club, had a table and activity like we did last year. Like last year, our activity this year was EXTRAORDINARILY successful. But unlike last year, we actually made a substantial amount of money this year.

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This year, our activity was to make fondue (also called fruit kabobs), where we melted chocolate chips in a CooKit solar cooker and covered strawberries, marshmallows, bananas, and an assortment of delicious foods with the chocolate. We also had a solar panel powering the entire set-up, from the laptop to the speakers. Additionally, we had a letter-writing drive, which allowed students to write a handwritten, personalized letter to Sen. Webb urging him to support climate action legislation. And of course, we gave out free keychains promoting the use of reusable bags.

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Overall, it was a huge success. We made lots of money (always a plus), had many letters written (which will, hopefully, bring about change at the national level), and promoted the use of renewable energy among the school community to an extent never seen before. I can safely say that the TJSPI is now an integrated part of the culture at TJ, and has the active support of many.

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I would just like to mention a touching (for me, maybe not for others), action I saw occur a few times. We sold our product for $1. Every now and then, someone came up and gave us a $10, then urged us to keep the change, because “the solar panels are more important than my change.” Someone actually gave a $20 bill and said she didn’t even want to buy the fondue. In the large scheme of things, these acts of goodwill are minor. But for myself and the others who were volunteering at the booth at the time, it was enough to render us speechless. To those who care so much, thank you.

How You Can Help

One of the major goals of the TJSPI is to make the donation process more streamlined and efficient. We all hate it - or at least, I know I do - when we find an organization we’d love to donate to, do the research to donate to them, but then can’t figure out their esoteric process.

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Not with the TJSPI. Whether you are a company, a non-profit, a community member, a TJ parent or student, or anyone else in this world, we have a route for you to donate. And it’s not just monetary contributions that we accept: we will accept just about anything that will help us out in raising money, gaining publicity, etc.

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So that takes us to the all-important point: how can you help? If you are interested in donation money or material goods, please go to http://tjspi.110mb.com/howsp.php to download various informational packages on donating. These packages contain information on the TJSPI, a donation form, and lots of other material. (Note: Donations to the TJSPI are considered donations to a public educational institution, making your donation tax-deductible.) Every cent of funds and ounce of material you donate can go a very long way in helping us. To recognize your generosity, the TJSPI has set up a series of recognition measures to ensure that the many charitable people in our society, such as yourself, do not go unrecognized. All donors contributing $25 or more will have their name published, should they give us permission to do so, in a full-page newspaper advertisement that will be taken out at the end of this project. All donors contributing funds or goods valued at $1,000 or more will have their name engraved on a customized, digital, interactive donor wall with touch-screen monitors and a user interface to allow interaction with the solar panel arrays and equipment.

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If you are interested in donating your time, we are extremely grateful. Time is our biggest constraint, and any help puts us many hours and days closer to our goal. Please email us at the.tjspi@gmail.com to receive more information on how to help us with various activities. Thank you so much for your interest!

Earth Day Event

Whole Foods in Alexandria hosted Earth Day and gave us 5% of their sales for the day. Rep. Jim Moran (VA, 8th district) came to speak. Thanks to the generosity of Whole Foods, their customers, and all of those who helped plan for the event, we made $5315! Thank you!

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Our club was there and everyone got to meet Rep. Jim Moran.