Save $$ with Viridian Energy

You use electricity every day…but did you know you have the power to choose where that electricity comes from?    Many states in the U.S. have started deregulating the generation of electricity, allowing you to choose where you buy your power.   

Choice in electricity has created new energy benefits to customers, including reduced monthly bills and options to select greener rate plans.

Viridian Energy is a socially responsible energy company providing greener electricity at an affordable price.  Viridian was founded with the vision to empower customers to make a difference in the environment and their personal lives simply by switching energy providers.

For each customer that chooses Viridian Energy, the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield will receive $2 per month.  Enrolling with Viridian is safe and easy.  The local utility will continue to send the bills and deliver the electricity to your home or office.  The only difference you will see is Viridian’s name and a low rate listed on your bill.

Signing up takes less than 3 minutes!

Go to: www.Viridian.com/BGCGarfield

Look around the website and read about Viridian Energy, and the green affordable energy services.  When you are ready, Click on the Become a Customer icon. Have your utility bill handy so that you will have your account number.

There are 2 Viridian products you can choose from:

With Everyday Green you will save up to 30% on the electric portion of your bill over a 12 month period.

Viridian's Everyday Green rate plan offers residential and commercial customers an easy way to purchase affordably green electricity. Everyday Green is a 20% renewable energy option, sourced from locally produced, high quality renewable resources. Everyday Green allows customers to reduce their environmental impact from electricity use, while often paying less than the local utility's rate.

With Pure Green you will save up to 10% on the electric portion of your bill over a 12 month period.

As more consumers embrace greener lifestyles, Viridian has responded by offering the highest quality clean energy choices. The Pure Green rate plan is a Green-e certified 100% renewable energy option, sourced from locally produced, high-quality wind power. Pure Green, which meets the industry's highest standards for renewable products, enables energy consumers to reduce negative environmental impacts from electricity use and promote sustainable energy solutions through the internationally recognized Green platform.

In addition, if you would like to become an Associate or set-up a fundraiser for a non-profit organization, we can assist you with that too.

It just takes one…

The 2010 Annual Campaign for the

Boys & Girls Club of Garfield

One opportunity can make a lasting difference in the life of a child.  One dream can give a sense of purpose for a lifetime.  One voice can relay wisdom that resonates for generations.  One Boys & Girls Club can give hope to an entire community.  One person like you can help fulfill the dream of a brighter tomorrow for more children in our community.

At the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, we serve one purpose:  To inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Boys & Girls Club of Garfield is part of a unified nationwide affiliation of more than 5000 Clubs and provides after-school and summer programming to more than 800 children with an average daily attendance of over 150 members in two different locations.  In addition, the Club provided outreach services to more than 1,500 children last year.

Economic statistics are somewhat alarming with 49.8% of the children in Garfield Public Schools eligible to receive free or reduced lunch, 8.9% of families living below the poverty level, 9.2% with related children under 18 years of age, 8.9% with children under 5 years of age.  The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield works hard to meet the needs of its members by keeping fees low.  The fees are low because Club members cannot afford to pay high fees for after-school programs.  The Club provides these services and fundraises to keep the fees low.

Community Need

The City of Garfield is identified as one of 30 educational and economic “special needs” districts in the state of N.J and is officially classified as an “Abbott District”. based on the following criteria:

• District wide, low socio-economic status.

• Assignment to the lowest categories on the New Jersey Department of Education's District Factor Groups (DFG) scale.

• Evidence of substantive failure of thorough and efficient education including failure to achieve what the DOE considers passing levels of performance on the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).

• A large percentage of disadvantaged, students deemed “at risk” who are in need of "an education beyond the norm."

Studies show that young people particularly those who are at-risk, have a higher probability of getting into trouble between 3 and 6 p.m. whether academically with lack of attention paid to homework and study or socially with juvenile crime, substance abuse, gang violence or inappropriate behaviors in general. This is why after-school programs are so important in Garfield.

Community Response

The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield provides community youth with a fun, safe haven, interesting relevant programs and most importantly club activities that build confidence and self esteem.  Every day, staff members at the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield help kids with their homework, re-enforce learning concepts taught at school with fun educationally redeeming programs.

These programs have been shown to be effective.  Last year more than 200 members participated in the Club’s Power Hour program (homework assistance).  Additionally members participated in a literacy mentoring program to improve the reading abilities of our members.  In addition, almost all members participated in spelling and math activities as well as computer literacy.  These skill building activities increased members proficiency in many subject areas.

Most importantly, local teachers and school administrators whole-heartedly endorse and support the programs being offered at the Club.

How can “One” person make a difference?

Our membership and program fees are low so that all children can have access to our programs.  Your financial investment helps us continue to welcome and inspire more and more children who need help each day.  Your support helps us be their home away from home.  It just takes one person to help make dreams come true.  It just takes you.

Concentrating on children who need us most, we provide each child who comes to the Club the tools to make positive choices.  But we cannot do this alone.  We need the support of caring people and community leaders like you.  It just takes one person to make a difference in the life of a child.  You can be that person.  Your investment enables our caring, dedicated staff to forge strong relationships with young people and influence their ability to succeed in life.

Your dollars support the Boys & Girls club of Garfield.  Your dollars help build a brighter tomorrow for our children.  Would you please consider making a charitablecontribution to our annual campaign to support programs such as the ones we discussed?

How to Donate

Donations may be mailed to: Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, 490 Midland Avenue, NJ 07026.

For more information, please contact our Chief Executive Officer, Paul Casey at (973) 478-7662 or by email at pcasey@bgcgarfield.org

Tax Status

The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

Donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.