Defer Elementary Kicks off Pennies for Power

students gathered in the school's gymnasium early Monday to learn about energy, its production and consumption as well as ways to save and conserve energy.

Among the suggestions given by Andrea Fleming, an energy educator from Warm Training, are:

• Turn off the lights when a room is not being used
• Use energy saving light bulbs
• Dress for the season, keep temperatures at a reasonable degree rather than at an extreme
• Close the windows when using air conditioning or heat
• Unplug appliances or other electronics when they are not routinely being used

At the end of the presentation, which included a picture-appropriate Power Point, Fleming gave the students a pop quiz using pictures. She asked them what was wrong in pictures she had on the screen.

The assembly kicked off Defer's second year of Pennies for Power campaign in which each classroom raises money for The Heat and Warmth Fund that is eventually used to help families in the metro area struggling with heating bills.

Principal Karen Sullivan handed out empty water jugs labeled with a Pennies for Power flyer to a representative from each classroom at the end of the two assemblies. The first group included students from grades three to five and then another assembly followed for kindergarteners to second graders.

Traditionally the Pennies for Power campaign encourages the classrooms in any one school building to compete with each other to raise money, Sullivan said. Defer does not make it a competition, however, she said, noting they would rather make the entire effort about helping others rather than a reward for helping others.

Last year the school raised more than $1,000 and the student council president was able to present a check to THAW during the annual radiothon, Sullivan said, explaining what a positive experience it was.

"This is another chance for us to reach out to the community and help those in need," Sullivan said.

THAW is a non-profit orgnaization that began in 1985 with the goal of helping Michigan residents in emergency situations with their heating bills.

Defer is one of eight schools from the metropolitan area participating in the campaign this year. Four are from Detroit and others are from Macomb Township, West Bloomfield and Bingham Farms.

Students made a colorful poster that is hanging in Defer's main hallway with large sized print: Pennies for Power.

Collections will continue through Jan. 20. The annual WWJ Winter Survival Radiothon is Jan. 27 and 28.