On
October 18th the long awaited Earth Event finally happened. And what a night!
When we arrived
at the Center at 4:30, people were already hard at work putting together the
trays of food and setting up in the main center. We set up a presentation board
in the foyer for our Bright Idea project, bringing in our boxes of CFL bulbs and
hot water heater wraps. We also had a small presentation on our Don't Be Idle
Campaign. The Whole Life Center teens also put up a display board about a
number of different environmental practices and ideas. There was also a table
set up with environmental cleaning products on it. One of the members of the
congregation owns his own environmental cleaning
products business and offered to make these available at
the event.
The event started
at 6 pm with hors d'oeuvres in the Lake View House. The teens from the Whole
Life Center acted as servers, carrying trays of all- natural food around to
guests. Guests had the opportunity to talk to secretary of state Bill
Bradbury, while others were drawn to a wonderful presentation board put
together by one of the members of the congregation on the harmful effects of
plastic bags. It was a great atmosphere, with people talking and sampling some
of the great food.
In the main
center, Sierra and Emily manned the Green Teen's table. They did a great job
greeting people to the event and giving out information about the Green Teens
and climate change. After the event, they were able to sell a number of the
bulbs and heater wraps as well.
At 7pm Pastor
Scott from the Whole Life Center opened the event by welcoming the full house
to the center, and graciously thanking the great group of volunteers we had
helping us out with the event. He then introduced Jacob who got up and talked
about the Green Teens and how the event came into being. He then introduced
Bill Bradbury. Mr. Bradbury then went on to give his wonderful presentation
about climate change and its potential threats on Oregon. Afterwards, Jacob gave an inspiring presentation on how everyone can make a difference for our earth. He then introduced the Whole Life Center Teens who then gave their
presentation about the everyday choices we make and their profound effect on
the environment. Jacob then closed the night, thanking everyone for their
attendance, and opening it up to questions and answers with Mr. Bradbury.
All in all the
event was a complete success. Everyone involved said it was one of the greatest
events they have ever been a part of. Mr. Bradbury's assistant, Suzanne, even
commented that of the 200 or more presentations she has gone to with Mr.
Bradbury, that this was by far the best.
Since the event we have also seen a number of "side effects". One of our neighbors who attended the event e-mailed her cousin on the east coast about the event and the Green Teens. She has since written back with interest in starting her own "green teens" out there... the idea's catching. We also had one of the teens ask us about how to start a Green Teens at her own school... the idea's catching.
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