GRID had a great day in Long Beach on Saturday, Sept. 21st when more than 175 volunteers individual sponsors, corporate teams, job trainees and homeowners themselves came out to install solar electric systems on nine homes for our fourth annual Greater Los Angeles Solarthon. Event highlights included receiving a certificate honoring Greater LA's fourth annual Solarthon from Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal; a special presentation made by the Board of Directors to GLA's departing Executive Director, Susie Chang, as she moves on to her next chapter at GRID, working to expand our services onto tribal lands and explore international opportunities; musical performances by graduates of Garfield Elementary School and tacos for all from local favorite Patricia's.
GRID has made a real impact in the LBC. We've installed for 65 families and we plan to keep on greening this port city; house by house, family by family. "I wanted to take a step towards clean energy and eliminating the use of dirty energy and its production," said Armando Lomeli, whose eight person household received a 2.8kW solar electric system at Solarthon. "We are from a humble family, and we are grateful to the sponsors. Our financial situation is tough but this program will help us tremendously."
It's not only the homeowners who benefit from our program, but volunteers and green job trainees as well. "I would like to thank GRID Alternatives for giving me the opportunity to be a part of an awesome organization," said Melvone Garrett, a Homeboy Industries student who is taking classes at East Los Angeles Skills Center. "Today I've had the opportunity to share my experiences, help educate others, and collaborate with the community sponsors and employers in making the world a better place one module at a time."