Wootton High Goes 'Green' in Fundraising Venture

Wootton High School's PTSA has found an unusual way to raise funds by partnering with Viridian Energy.

The energy company, which specializes in producing renewable, “green” energy, will pay the PTSA a $2 a month referral residual for every household that switches their energy supplier, through Pepco, to Viridian. In addition, the cost of the energy to the customer is actually less than the Pepco standard.

Many people are unaware that in Maryland, and about half of the states in America, customers now have an active choice in which companies supply their specific electricity. Although all electricity is delivered through the established utility infrastructure, there are a variety of companies that supply this energy.

Each company has it's own method of producing energy, from oil and gas to wind and solar. Then they feed their energy into a larger, interconnected grid that is set up through all area utilities.

Residential and business customers can shop around and choose energy suppliers, and can have a voice in where that energy comes from.

Viridian Independent Associate, Ed Kenny, says that Viridian gets their energy from clean renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

“Our objective is to green the grid,” he said.

Kenny went on to explain that one of the ways his company is trying to expand is by educating the public about their right to choose an energy supplier. Partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, like the Wootton High School PTSA, helps everyone involved, by raising money for the nonprofit, bringing awareness to the public about their choices, and, of course, selling their product.

“It's an efficient way to get our products to the market.” Kenny added, “There is no cost to the nonprofit and there is no cost, even to the customer.”

Wootton PTSA has been involved in this program since the spring of 2011 and has had a lot of success in raising funds. Wootton supporters must sign up via a specific Wootton Web page on the Viridian website. For details on the Wootton fundraising effort and the link to sign up, visit the PTSA's information page.

If you are interested in contacting Viridian to partner with your nonprofit, contact Ann Wagner at annmaaswagner@hotmail.com.