Lights recycled for a good cause

IREA’s first-ever holiday lights recycling effort brought in much more than expected and resulted in a generous donation to a worthy local cause.

Customers gave IREA’s four district offices a combined 3,160 pounds of recyclable holiday lights that generated more than $600 in proceeds to be donated to Energy Outreach Colorado. Consistent with its longstanding commitment to match dollar-for-dollar customer donations made to Energy Outreach Colorado, IREA gave a check for $1,264 in total proceeds from this project to Energy Outreach.

“We were pleased by the response from our customers to this program,” said IREA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Mooney. “Whether donating to recycle, or just to clean out the garage after the holidays, the response of our customers to this opportunity to help those in need was impressive.”

Energy Outreach is a nonprofit assistance program in which all Colorado utilities participate. Established in 1989 to raise funds to help thousands of low-income Coloradans afford home energy, it provides heating bill assistance, emergency home furnace repair and grants to improve the energy efficiency of non-profit and affordable housing facilities. Energy Outreach has raised more than $191 million for seniors on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities, families hurt by the loss of jobs, and many more income-limited Coloradans, including hundreds of IREA customers.

If you missed out on IREA’s holiday lights recycling program, you still can help Energy Outreach Colorado by donating through IREA. We will even make a matching contribution for each dollar you pledge – up to $75,000 total this year – which effectively doubles your donation.

You can help by filling out an online form at www.IREA.coop/energy-assistance. If you opt to give monthly, we will add a separate line item to your monthly IREA billing statement. Your monthly contribution will continue until you notify IREA in writing that you no longer wish to contribute to the program.

If you are in need of assistance paying your energy bill, visit www.energyoutreach.org/gethelp.