Schools

Planting a Tree and Going Green at St. Mary, Mater Dei

Program designed to conserve energy kicked off with tree planting ceremony

News from Mater Dei and St. Mary Elementary schools and Viridian Energy ...

St. Mary Parish, Mater Dei Prep (High School) and St. Mary Elementary School, in the New Monmouth section of Middletown, are now in a fundraising agreement with Viridian Energy, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Viridian offers fundraising solutions to non-profit organizations while helping residents go green.

The "go green" campaign entitled Green is the Word kicked off at the St. Mary campus in front of on Oct. 13 with a tree planting ceremony. Students from both Mater Dei and joined Father Carlos, of St. Mary Parish, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13), Middletown Deputy Mayor Pam Brightbill for the ceremony.

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“It is wonderful to see a large group in our community make a commitment to go green,” Brightbill said. “How much more perfect can a program be than for families to save money on their energy bills, make a difference in the environment, and raise money for .”

The program works like this: Viridian will donate $2 a month every month for every family that switches over to Viridian. Each of the three organizations will conduct its own individual fundraising campaign. 

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People may participate while staying connected to their current electric companies. In NJ that is JCP&L, PSE&G or ACE. Deregulation allows you to go green and purchase electricity from an energy supplier of your choice. If you do not choose a third party supplier, the electric company provides you with “the provider of last resort”. 

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13), also a resident, applauded “the St. Mary’s Parish Community for undertaking this innovative project, and for all their student- centered efforts to protect the environment. The young people of St. Mary Elementary School and are being splendidly trained as environmental stewards for the next generation.”

Pastor Monsignor Mike Walsh said he loves the idea of helping the environment and saving families money.  “This is a fantastic fundraising opportunity,” he said. “I know our Parish will step up and make it super successful.”

Anyone can join in on the fundraiser, parishioners, neighbors, relatives and co-workers by going to www.viridian.com/marymotherofgod and clicking on become a customer.

Viridian uses 20 percent renewable energy compared to the state mandate in New Jersey of 8.27 percent. This is equivalent to the average family planting 65 trees annually.


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