By: Mackenzie Schroeder—
To celebrate Earth Day, Muncie non-profit ecoREHAB will pass out free LED light bulbs (two per family) from 5-8 p.m. during The Downtown Farm Stand’s 5th Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22, at the Farm Stand, 125 E. Main Street. The event will pair music and food with tips to realize savings through energy-efficient living.
Switching from incandescent to LED bulbs can save about $30 each year per bulb, said Craig Graybeal, ecoREHAB executive director. He’s looking forward to passing out energy-efficient varieties and talking with residents about other ways to save through sustainable practices.
“There’s no reason why we can’t have a bit of fun while we promote energy-efficiency,” Graybeal said. “At ecoREHAB, we’re committed to improving our community through the promotion and practice of sustainable design, building, and outreach. Come out and have fun with us this Earth Day.”
Ball State Journalism students had the “bright idea” for the event as part of an immersive learning class to help ecoREHAB build awareness of its work to rehabilitate homes in urban core neighborhoods and tackle improvement projects that help elderly residents age in place. This year, the non-profit expanded its services to include affordable energy assessments for Muncie homes and businesses, rolling proceeds from those services into community-building projects.
Ball State junior Tyler Moore, who developed the Ignite the Light event, said the immersive class invited him to learn about and make a difference in Muncie, his home for the past four years. The Earth Day celebration, Moore said, is an opportunity to meet many of the residents he’s worked hard for all semester.
ecoREHAB is a fun group of passionate community volunteers, and we’re excited to help spread the word about all they are doing for our community,” Moore said. “I can’t imagine a better time on Earth Day—getting free light bulbs while you enjoy great food and music—and it’ll be fun to meet members of the community we’ve been working hard for all semester.”
The students and ecoREHAB volunteers have their fingers and toes crossed for clear skies, but if it does rain, the event will move inside the Farm Stand.
For more information about the event, find ecoREHAB on Facebook or email info@ecoREHAB.org. Learn about the organization at ecoREHAB.org.
About ecoREHAB
ecoREHAB is a Muncie non-profit that emerged in 2009 from a Ball State University architecture studio designed to transform abandoned houses into sustainable homes. In its brief but energetic history, ecoREHAB has worked alongside students and community partners to rehabilitate deteriorating structures into inviting, affordable homes for our neighbors. ecoREHAB also provides affordable consultation and educational outreach to promote sustainable building practices for homeowners, businesses, and communities.
