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Open mind opened doors (continued) Now Yoder thinks about giving back. Still concentrating on energy concerns, a stressful necessity for many, she has petitioned Portland General Electric and City Commissioner Dan Saltzmans office on the advantages of solar power. Observing that her wood-burning stove and weatherized home caps her own use, she thought if she could somehow afford a few solar panels, she could possibly generate enough energy with her wide roof space to heat her home while donating the remainder to the LIEAP program to help others. I am sure Im not the only citizen who would want to do such a thing, she said. I see my concept as having the ability to change despair to dignity, hopelessness to hope, self-centeredness to a community focus, she wrote to Saltzmans office. Amy Trieau, an assistant to Saltzman, responded to Yoders inquiry, noting that coincidently they had just received a solar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. This invigorated Yoder. At least Im presenting my ideas out there, and I feel good about that. Lets say this concept became a reality, and lets say that the people who receive help from my solar panels wanted to meet me and I got to meet them, wouldnt that strengthen the bond of community? She noted that both Trieau and PGE were surprised that I would want to donate the excess money back into a program instead of receiving the checks to supplement my low income. That had never entered my thinking. I want to be able to take that emotional strain away from someone else, one or two or three people. One good deed leads to another and another. We thank Leslie Yoder for sharing her story. She welcomes readers who benefit from it to respond in kind. Assistance Agencies/Organizations covered in this story: Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization 10301 N.E. Glisan St, Portland 503-234-1541 www.irco.org Human Solutions 12350 S.E. Powell Blvd. 503-548-0200 www.humansolutions.org For Energy Assistance (LIEAP) at Human Solutions 503-548-0217 www.humansolutions.org/index.php?pr=Utility _Assistance&root=Programs_Services Multnomah County Weatherization Program 503-988-6295, x22312 www.co.multnomah.or.us/oscp/cpp/energy.html REACH Community Development, Home repair services 503-231-0682 www.reachcdc.org Rebuilding Together 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. 503-943-7515 www.rebuildingtogetherportland.org Growing Gardens 2003 N.E. 42nd Ave #3 503-284-8420 www.growing-gardens.org Elders in Action 1411 S.W. Morrison St. Suite #290 503-235-5474 www.eldersinaction.org |
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