I’ve always loved the Habitat for Humanity model. Volunteers working side by side with future homeowners who are providing sweat equity. Comunidad para Baja, one of my pet organizations, uses the same approach. If they install a septic system in a tribal community, for example, the Nativos are the ones doing the heavy lifting and getting the system up and running. When you have more skin in the game, you’re likely to care more about the resource, whether it’s a house, a bathroom or a schoolroom.

SOLARTHON 2007, happening this Saturday, October 6, is a green take on this idea. Conceived of and organized by local non-profit organization GRID Alternatives, a group of corporate participants & volunteers will be installing solar electric systems for eight low-income families in East Oakland. In fact, the systems will be installed at Habitat for Humanity’s new Edes Avenue development. Corporate participants include PG&E, Google, WaMu, Solar City and others. By putting a spotlight on this effort, I hope they’ll raise some money for a good cause and raise awareness about the good work that organizations like GRID Alternatives are doing around renewable energy. The forecast for Saturday calls for a sunny day. That’s only fitting.

Community, Comunidad Para Baja, Environment, giving, Habitat for Humanity, SOLARTHON 2007

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