Electric Car Preparations

From Saturday's Commercial Appeal...

Memphis Light Gas and Water getting set for arrival of electric cars

Electric cars are rare today, but Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division is betting that they'll be much more common in the future.

"The electric vehicles are absolutely, positively coming," said Richard H. Bowker, who took charge in December of electric vehicle planning for the utility.

In a presentation Friday, Bowker said the utility is buying some electric vehicles for its own use and working with other agencies to study how the new vehicles would affect the power distribution network.

In the longer term, the utility plans to begin identifying sites for public chargers, Bowker said.

In Knoxville this week, TVA and the Electric Power Research Institute unveiled a prototype electric vehicle charging station, said TVA spokesman David Boruff.

And federal tax dollars will help build charging stations in some Tennessee towns and cities as part of the "EV Project." West Tennessee was left out of this effort, but it's unclear why.

Bowker said MLGW's plans for electric-vehicle infrastructure are closely tied to another concept: Smart Grid, which is the use of technology to monitor electricity consumption both at the household level and elsewhere in the power system.

Planners hope that in-home monitors and other devices will help people identify exactly how much power they're using and encourage them to conserve it. About 1,000 Memphis-area households are receiving "smart meters" as part of an ongoing demonstration project.

Both MLGW and TVA, the wholesaler that provides its electricity, have long-term plans to introduce time-of-use metering, which is the concept of charging different power rates at different times.

The goal is to reduce the strain on the power grid by encouraging people to run washing machines and other appliances during night hours when demand for electricity is lowest. TVA wants to avoid the cost of building power plants that would operate only at times of peak electricity demand.

Planners hope to persuade people to plug in their electric cars late at night and reduce strain on the system, Bowker said. He said they also want to work with companies that will operate fleets of electric vehicles.

One Memphis corporate giant is doing this now. FedEx Corp. said in its most recent annual report that it already had the largest fleet of hybrid electric trucks and that it had worked with other companies to develop a new, all-electric delivery truck that it is using in London and Los Angeles.

"As the capital costs of these electric vehicles come down -- and their battery capacity and range go up -- we'll be able to convert more of our fleet," the report said.

Auto makers are introducing hybrid vehicles that use both fossil fuel and batteries as well as vehicles that only have batteries. They're still expensive: the new Chevrolet Volt has a base sticker price of $40,280, according to The Associated Press.

The federal government backs the electric car as a way to cut pollution and oil use. In the State of the Union speech Tuesday night, President Barack Obama said America could become "the first country to have a million electric vehicles on the road by 2015."

Saturday Hours

Due to scheduled maintenance at MLGW's Customer Care Center, the utility's call center will not be staffed with additional service advisors on Saturday, Jan. 29.

MLGW will resume its temporary Saturday call center coverage from Feb. 5 until March 5, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in order to assist customers following the conclusion of the annual moratorium on Jan. 15. The Customer Care Center is staffed on weekdays from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

MLGW customers can still do business with the utility through its automated phone system by calling 544-MLGW (6549) for billing inquiries and payment arrangements. MLGW's emergency hotline, 528-4465, is always staffed 24 hours a day. Electric outages can still be reported at 544-6500.

Smallest User Party

We're celebrating our Smallest User competitors from Evergreen and Cooper Young and you're invited! RSVP here!

Thermostat Settings & Weight Loss

Glamour has a story about letting your body create it's own heat. It will save you money in utilities and help you stay nice and trim. You can read it here: Why Turning Your Thermostat Up May Be Making You Pack on Pounds

CFLs are cost-effective

Columnist Deanna Caswell gives us a nice break down of the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of CFLs in today's Commercial Appeal...

Practically Green: Fluorescent bulbs: You get what you pay for

While I was presenting at a brown-bag talk for the Memphis Botanic Garden, the subject of compact fluorescent lights came up. There were many complaints about them.

They take too long to come on. The light is an icky color. They don't last as long as they say. I was asked to please do some research on it and write a column. So here you go. (I will address complaints about disposal of spent or broken CFLs in a future column.)

CFLs save you money, but that up-front cost is painful. Over the life of the bulb, the math works out, but most of us still flinch and reach for the store-brand discount version. It seems that is the reason for problems with delay, early burnout and poor light quality.

To avoid those problems:

Buy brand-name bulbs. Discount CFLs are poorer quality and may last only six months, regardless of what the box says. You will still save money over the life of the bulb compared with incandescent energy cost and bulb replacement.

Buy soft light or daylight varieties to improve the light quality and avoid that depressing blue fluorescent flicker.

CFLs like warmth. In an environment below 68 degrees, they take longer to come on. For outdoor use in winter months, use CFLs specified for outdoor use. Yes, they're more expensive, but they're worth it.

And tighten up your ceiling fans. Vibration shortens the life of the bulb.

How much is too much to spend on lightbulbs? When am I not saving money any more.

Here's the math:

For 8,000 hours of 60 W incandescent light, we pay about $43, plus the cost of about 10 bulbs.

For 8,000 hours of what is equivalent to "60 W light" from the CFL, we pay $9, plus the cost of the one bulb.

So unless that CFL bulb costs more than $35 dollars, we're still saving money.

Multiple Job Openings

We have several job openings at the moment from Service Advisor all the way to Vice President. All openings are listed on our website and you can apply online. Postings are regularly listed on our Facebook page as well, so become a fan today.

Budget Billing

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by your winter utility bills? Would you like to know what your utility costs will be each month, even before you receive your bill?

You can - with Budget Billing, a MLGW program that allows you to pay the same amount each month. Budget Billing does not reduce your overall energy expense. It simply lets you spread out your annual energy expense over a 12-month period and let you know ahead of time what your monthly payment will be. So you'll be able to manage your household budget a whole lot easier.

You can call and find out what your monthly amount would be prior to signing up. To enroll, you simply fill out a form and mail it in.

Click here for more information!

Call Center Hours Expanded

To help accommodate customers needing assistance after the expiration of our annual moratorium on cut-offs on Jan. 14, the Customer Care Center is expanding its hours of operation to include Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Customer Care Center will be staffed each Saturday from January 22 until March 5, after which it will return to regular business hours (7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday).

On average, the CCC answers more than 50,000 calls per month ranging from payment arrangements, balance and due date information as well as start, stop or transfer service, etc.

Payment arrangements, balance and due date information as well as start, stop or transfer service can also be completed through our easy-to-use automated phone system 24 hours a day. In addition, customers can make payment arrangements online by visiting www.mlgw.com/payarrange.

For faster service customers should call during the mid-morning or mid-afternoon hours. When you call, it is also important to have your most recent bill and the last four digits of the customer on record's Social Security number.

Important numbers:

MLGW Customer Care Center: 544-MLGW (6549)
• 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. through March 5

Start, stop or transfer service: 820-7878
• 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

24-hour automated outage hotline: 544-6500

Report life threatening emergencies: 528-4465

Streetlight outages: 820-7878

Eco Reminder Stickers

What do you think of this line of eco-reminder stickers, by British design firm HU2?

Eco Expo

Come see us at this Sunday's Eco expo at Temple Israel from 11am-3pm! Here's a preview from today's Commercial Appeal...

Eco Expo at Temple Israel this Sunday

Businesses, churches and other organizations gather this weekend to show how they are getting more environmentally conscious at the Eco Expo at Temple Israel.

More than 50 exhibitors will display their eco-friendly products and programs at the event, which will run Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1376 E. Massey Road.

The annual free event has a distinct purpose, according to Linda Kaplan, lead chair of the Eco Expo.

“This is to inform and educate, and to advertise for those who have green products and services to offer or that is their only offering,” Kaplan said.

Based on attendance the first two years, the expo is expected to draw between 400 – 700 people, she said.

Attendees are encouraged to bring used plastic water bottles and jugs, which will be strung together on a rope to wrap around the exterior of the temple, symbolic of the eco-fact that the world uses enough plastic bottles each year to circle the earth five times.

People who bring re-usable beverage containers can fill them will lemonade, also at no charge, Kaplan said.

Some of the 50 exhibitors already registered include the City of Memphis Storm Water Matters, Bridges, MLGW and Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, which will be accepting used cell phones and chargers at its booth to recondition and send to overseas military personnel.

MLH will also accept used eyeglasses, sunglasses and eyeglass cases to be used for its Project 20-20 for medical mission teams.

Baltz and Sons Concrete is returning for its third year and the goal is to try to educate people about a new type of permeable concrete the company installs.

“It’s an opportunity to reach a crowd that is interested in environmentally friendly products that are available and that gives me an opportunity to teach people about pervious concrete, which is an innovation in environmentally more-friendly paving alternative,” said Kevin Baltz, president and owner.

A new aspect of this year’s Expo is that congregations from numerous denominations are pitching in as sponsors this year, including The Church of the Holy Spirit, Memphis Islamic Center, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and several others.

“We are so pleased they are helping to sponsor this,” Kaplan said.

Temple Israel will continue to hold the annual event, until the need for it is gone.

“The best thing that could happen is that everyone becomes so familiar, and green companies are their companies of choice that there would be no need for us to have this.”

Want to participate?

Booth prices are $20 for vendors who do not need electricity and can use an open space, $45 for those who need access to electricity and a back wall.

“The charge is just to cover our expenses,” Kaplan said.

Based on the last two years, she said it’s not uncommon for registrants to pour in at the last minute.

Persons interested in booth space can e-mail timemphisecoexpo@msn.com, or call 482-6487.

Congrats to Cooper-Young!

Nice story on our Smallest User contest in this week's Flyer

Smallest User
Cooper-Young takes the prize in a yearlong energy-saving competition.

It might seem strange to label the Cooper-Young neighborhood as conservative, but the strides its residents have taken in saving energy over the past 12 months make them worthy of the title.

The Cooper-Young Historic District and the Evergreen Historic District began competing last January to see which Midtown neighborhood could reduce energy consumption more. The competition ended in December.

"The Smallest User" contest was a collaboration between Memphis Light, Gas, & Water (MLGW) and the University of Memphis' journalism department, which assisted the two neighborhood associations throughout the yearlong competition.

"Everyone in this area has a vested interest in seeing how much we can reduce our energy consumption," said MLGW spokesperson Glen Thomas. "In an economy like this one, people begin to focus on those expenses that they can control, and I think energy consumption is one of those expenses."

A grant from the Strengthening Communities Initiative gave each community foundation the tools to reach out to their neighborhoods. Kickoff events, mailings, and an art contest helped raise awareness among residents about the urgency of energy conservation and how to get started.

The Cooper-Young neighborhood saved an average of 12.7 percent more energy in 2010 compared to 2008, while Evergreen's usage actually increased by 4.1 percent. MLGW used 2008 data as a comparison, because the utility company implemented certain energy-savings programs in 2009 that could skew the results.

Though the numbers aren't staggering, residents of both neighborhoods worked to improve energy conservation in their homes.

A project blog (SmallestUser.wordpress.com), maintained by a University of Memphis graduate student, catalogued stories from residents, who tried everything from line-drying their clothes to self-insulating their attics.

"Cooper-Young is fairly green in general," said Debbie Sowell, who serves on the Cooper-Young Community Association's board. "I think we have recycling in our bones. All we needed was a little grassroots effort."

A reward system encouraged residents to make pledges and complete energy-saving projects in their homes, and the winning neighborhood received a $500 cash prize. An award ceremony will take place in February.

Conserving energy is still a priority despite the competition's end. Sowell said that what began as a friendly contest equipped residents with lasting tools for greening their neighborhoods.

"We've got these old homes that everybody wants to make more energy efficient," Sowell said. "What's been great is the neighborhood getting together and doing what they can — simple and inexpensive things that can make a big difference."

In-Home Energy Evaluations Help!

Great story in the Commercial Appeal about the TVA In-Home Energy Evaluation Program...

Energy audit pays off for Mud Island homeowners

When Betsy and Thad Howard moved to Memphis in 2004, they downsized and upsized at the same time. They bought a smaller house, but it came with a higher utility bill.

They knew that their new home, a three-bedroom, two-story house on Mud Island, could be improved for greater energy efficiency, but unlike their former home in Durham, N.C., they found that green building practices were few and far between.

"We thought that there wasn't as much of a culture here of doing energy-efficient building and we didn't know the trade people here, so we didn't know anyone who did these things," Betsy said.

But the numbers were unavoidable. In Durham, a bad month for utilities brought a bill of around $200. Here, an average winter month cost them more than $300.

This year the Howards got serious about becoming more energy-efficient.

The couple participated in the Tennessee Valley Authority's In-Home Energy Evaluation Program, which included a comprehensive inspection of their home, an audit of their current energy usage and physical improvements to their home.

They started by getting educated. Betsy contacted TVA and set up a class on energy saving for First Congregational Church in Midtown. The Howards co-chair the church's green committee. There they learned about IHEE and late last year, they started the process.

Betsy worked for the Environmental Protection Agency for 20 years before the move, studying air quality issues, so some of the issues in the home were obvious to her.

All of the windows on the north side of the home are single-pane because they were meant to be decorative. Entries to the house for the dryer vent and other pipes and hoses were made too big and not well-sealed.

They called the number listed on TVA's Web site and, through Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, were connected to a TVA representative who scheduled their inspection with Scott Little of Conservation Service Group.

"We walked through the house with him and he showed us things and educated us," Betsy said.

The results of the inspection were eye-opening.

The 20-year-old, 2,000-square-foot home had at least 25 square feet of completely uninsulated attic space.

Their crown molding was not sealed to the wallboard, allowing heated air to be siphoned through the cracks above and below, up into the attic.

Their heating and air conditioning unit was sealed with tape instead of mastic, a putty-like substance which hardens into cement around the duct connections.

After the audit, the Howards received a report detailing the changes needed, along with the estimated costs for improvement and energy savings so they could set priorities for their projects. The windows, they decided, would have to wait for now.

On Feb. 11, Betsy's birthday, a slew of TVA-approved contractors arrived with cases of caulk and blown insulation and started to work. Fortunately, some of the projects were fairly simple.

The gas line in their fireplace was sealed with a fire-proof mortar. Loose ceiling supply registers were screwed tightly in place so that the air flows into the room, not between walls and floors. A wooden box cover was installed on top of the pull-down attic staircase to keep it from sucking heat up through it like a chimney.

"The contractors don't get their money until TVA inspects their work and says you've done quality work," said Thad, who works for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "They're going to make sure that they do it right."

TVA spokesman Mike Bradley said the program, which started in May 2009, is taking off, albeit slowly. A total of 4,631 in-home evaluations have been conducted across TVA's seven-state service area, 3,737 in Tennessee. Seventy-four power distributors have signed on.

"We're hoping for more (participants), and the program is still evolving," Bradley said.

Bradley said there is a separate weatherization program aimed at the less affluent and funded by federal stimulus money to do much of the same kinds of work. TVA is training auditors for the program.

But the IHEE is not without its financial benefits. As part of the program, the Howards paid $150 for the audit, which is refundable by TVA. Also TVA will pay them up to $500 for the first $1,000 they spend on improvements. Essentially, they will receive $650 back.

The Howards may also qualify for a tax credit, good through 2010, of as much as $1,500 for approved materials at up to 30 percent of the cost.

The Howards haven't completed a billing cycle since the work in their home was finished, but Betsy says she can already tell that the house is warmer and less drafty.

"When I take a nap I don't have to crawl under as many blankets," Betsy said. "I'm not wearing as many sweaters. I think when it will really pay off the most is this summer because our upstairs air conditioner couldn't handle it."

"With all these incentives, it was like if we don't do it now, why bother?" said Thad.

For information, go to TVA In-Home Energy Evaluation Program.

Snow!

Hope everyone is enjoying the snow!

Here are some Goldfinches, a Common Grackle, a Mourning Dove (head) and a Junco at dawn.

Sewer Fee Info

While we're at it, MLGW's response to concerns expressed about water and sewer rates was published in yesterday's Commercial Appeal...

Letter: MLGW doesn't set sewer fees

Your Jan. 3 edition included a letter to the editor that addressed water and sewer fees ("Blindsided on water fees"). The writer incorrectly associated Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division with high sewer charges.

The Memphis sewer system is owned and operated by the city of Memphis Division of Public Works. Public Works sets the rates and spends the money as needed to properly operate its sewer system. MLGW simply acts as a billing service for Public Works in respect to sewer fees. On the other hand, potable water rates and services are provided by MLGW and these rates are consistently among the lowest in the country.

MLGW serves as the billing entity, not only for the city's sewer bill, but for several other city services as well, rather than separate bills being sent to customers for each service. MLGW also bills for various services on behalf of the county and suburban governments.

If you see an unusual jump in your water/sewer usage, it's often indicative of a water leak. MLGW customers pay $1.38 per CCF (750 gallons of water). A customer with a $40 water bill would have to use 23,250 gallons of water. To put that in context, an average swimming pool holds about 28,000 gallons. Even something as simple as a leaking toilet can waste more than 200 gallons of water per day.

If you have questions about your water usage, call us at 544-MLGW (544-6549) and we'll investigate. Sewer inquiries should be directed to Public Works at 576-6757.

Tree Trimming Info

Nick Newman, our Vice President of Construction and Maintenance, responds to some recent letters about our tree trimming policy in today's Commercial Appeal...

Letter: Trees trimmed to maintain service

Two recent letters have concerned tree trimming practices by MLGW contractors.

To ensure reliable service for our customers, MLGW maintains an ongoing, year-round tree-trimming program. This policy is in accordance with the 1992 Shelby County Tree Trimming Ordinance #93 and the current National Electric Safety Code. Trees are trimmed an average of once every three to five years.

Our contracted crews regularly trim trees that potentially pose a hazard to a power line or obstruct a street light. The crew must gain enough clearance to accommodate the tree's growth during this time. The amount of clearance needed is determined on-site and depends on several factors, such as how close the tree is to the power line and the type of line involved. Depending on the types of lines affected, MLGW must create a space of either 10 or 15 feet of clearance on either side of the line. This can result in substantial trimming.

In the case of your Dec. 31 letter writer ("MLGW shows no mercy to red maple"), MLGW's contractor investigated and agreed with the customer that their crews did not properly trim the tree. As a result, the contractor has contacted the customer to replace it. We apologize for this situation.

MLGW has a Trade-A-Tree program. If an MLGW representative decides a tree is damaged or unsightly as a result of necessary utility trimming, MLGW will remove that tree with the property owner's permission. In certain cases, the tree can be replaced with another tree with low maturity height.

Customers with questions or concerns about tree trimming can call MLGW at 320-1438.

Nick Newman
Vice president of construction and maintenance, Memphis Light, Gas and Water
Division

MLGW Union Members Start Charitable Fund

Another example of MLGW employees giving back in today's Commercial Appeal...

Union charitable fund honors Jonnie Dawson

Most of Jonnie Dawson's time on Earth was spent serving others, so when she died of an aneurysm in 2008, her colleagues wanted to honor her memory.

They knew that 64-year-old Dawson, who began her nearly 30-year career at Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division as a key-punch operator and ended as an assistant business manager for the public utility's union, often donated her earnings to help abused women. She also devoted a great deal of time to improving working conditions at MLGW.

"She was one that believed in donating to charities," said her former boss, Rick Thompson, business manager of IBEW Local 1288. "She was a real outgoing person, and she always tried to help."

So when it came time for contract negotiations last January, Thompson and others negotiated a deal with MLGW to allow employees to donate part of their earnings to the IBEW Jonnie Dawson Charitable Foundation fund.

"They don't make very much money, but they believe in giving to the charitable foundation so we can give back to the community," Thompson said.

Payroll deductions began in May, and a first round of quarterly awards went to five local nonprofit organizations during a holiday dinner in December.

Representatives from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, the Mid-South Food Bank, the YWCA and the Memphis and Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA) all received checks for $5,000.

Another round of checks will be distributed in the spring, although Thompson won't know who the recipients are until a vote takes place.

"I (will) bring it to the board, and the board will bring it to the membership," he said.

Failure to sign Residential Service Agreement could result in cut-offs

This press release just went out. We expect some news coverage...

Some MLGW Customers Could Face Cut-offs Due to Implementation of Federal Law

Some MLGW customers could face cut-offs this week if they have not yet complied with federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) requirements that states new MLGW customers must provide proof of their identity within a 30-day period or risk having their services disconnected.

The FACTA requirements went into effect January 1, 2011, and mandate that utility providers must properly identify all customers in order to safeguard them from one of the country’s fastest growing crimes – identity theft.

As a result of the new law, MLGW currently has 475 customers facing cutoffs, which are scheduled to begin as early as Wednesday, January 5. The new law ONLY impacts those MLGW customers who began their services during or after October 2010, and who failed to complete and return the proper documentation required for a Residential Service Agreement (RSA) or the General Power Service Agreement (GPSA) as stated in the service agreement between the customer and MLGW.

The RSA and GPSA require all new residential customers, sole proprietors and general partnerships to provide two forms of identification, one of which must be discernable picture identification. Acceptable forms of identification include:

• A valid driver’s license
• Tennessee Driver’s Certificate
• Official State ID Card (Issued by State in place of Driver’s License)
• Federal ID Card (passport/visa, alien registration card, military ID card)
• Voter’s registration card
• Social Security Card
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate
• IRS individual Taxpayer ID Number Card

FACTA is a measure designed to protect American consumers while in the routine business of establishing or obtaining credit in the market place, and has spurred MLGW to make credit policy updates to better protect its customers.

“There are more than nine million identities stolen in the United States every year, mostly for purposes of fraud,” said Jerry Collins, MLGW President and CEO. “MLGW does not want a single customer to be defrauded as a result of identity theft and has procedures in place designed to stop anyone who might be seeking to steal your identity.”

Please note that if you are already an established, properly documented customer of MLGW, you need not take any further action at this time. However, if you alter your services in the future, you may be asked to update your identification as a protective measure for you.

To find out more about MLGW’s credit policy and procedures you can examine the MLGW Customer Care Policy on our Web site, www.mlgw.com. If you have any questions about your bill, call 544-MLGW (6549). To stop, start, transfer service, or to report service maintenance, call 820-7878 or visit any of our community business offices. Commercial customers should call the MLGW Commercial Resource Center, 528-4270. Or visit an MLGW Community Business Office.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.

Jackson, TN solar facility nears completion

From the Memphis Business Journal...

Jackson, Tenn., solar facility nears completion

Construction of a new solar power system in Jackson, Tenn., is nearing completion.

The one megawatt solar power system with a 47-kilowatt solar array is located at 96 American Drive in Madison Industrial Park in Jackson. The solar facility will take up nearly 20 acres of the 55-acre site.

One megawatt provides enough energy to power 1,000 houses.

Meridian Development Partners purchased the property in 2008 and negotiated with Natural Energy Group, a group of Tennessee investors formed to help launch large-scale solar projects, to bring the project to fruition. The solar facility is expected to help lure other industries to the site.

“The people at Meridian Development Partners have shown real creativity and brought new ideas for developing property to West Tennessee,” Mike Philpot, executive director of West Tennessee Industrial Association, said in a statement. “Their willingness to invest in the property and promote our area is impressive.”

Meridian Development Partners is a New York-based real estate development firm that specializes in the acquisition and redevelopment of underutilized real estate.

The solar panels for the project are being provided by Sharp Manufacturing Company of America, which manufactures solar components in Memphis.

“We believe the American Drive Business Center has many attributes that differentiate it from other sites and buildings on the market,” Michael Katz, managing director of Meridian Development Partners, said in a statement. “The site is served by CSX rail, it is three minutes from Interstate 40, it has industrial grade infrastructure and now it will offer clean solar power. This takes the site from good to great.”

Employees who Rock: Robert Bynum and Ronnie Parker

Several of our lineman have decided to be positive role models through "The Organization," which started as a men's social club in 1992.

Ronnie Parker and Robert Bynum, who are both active members of The Organization and crew leaders at the Hickory Hill work center, sat down to chat with me before the holidays.

Ronnie is the current president and has been with MLGW for 25 years. He’s retiring on January 7th and says he started out in the Store Room at the South Center for $5.65 and hour. “I was glad to get it,” he says.

Robert has been with the company 21 years and says Ronnie took him under his wing when he got here. “We climbed poles together as apprentices,” he says.

In addition to Robert and Ronnie, The Organization includes three other MLGW employees; Currie Robinson (General Foreman, NSC), Howard Clay (Retired Customer Service), and Antonio Hearn (Lineman at Hickory Hill). The group’s sixth member is a friend of Howard’s, named Tommy Norwood.

“We revamped, and got our heads together,” explains Ronnie. “We were older and more focused on youth. We’ve got a lot of skills, and we wanted to be mentors.”

“We’ve been blessed to do what we want for a living and have a career. We wanted to give back,” says Robert.

The group’s motto is “Unified and organized men making a difference.”

Over the years they’ve mentored kids through Big Brothers Big Sisters, but they are currently focusing their efforts on the kids who are living in the Salvation Army’s Purdue Center for homeless women and children.

The Purdue Center offers temporary shelter for 3-4 months. The Organization plans trips for the children living in the shelter about twice a month. They take small groups of kids, usually boys aged 9-13, to Redbirds games, Grizzlies games, the movies, the zoo, bowling, fishing, etc. In May, they even put on a carnival.

Barbara Tillery and Joyce Waters, who work at the Salvation Army, help identify children who are having problems and who could use some mentoring. Robert and Ronnie say that they want the kids to have some fun, but they also talk to them about staying in school and helping their mothers. “We tell them that they are bigger than [their current situation], and that it doesn’t define them,” says Ronnie.

“We just really want to encourage them,” adds Robert.

“It’s really great to see the kids’ eyes light up,” says Ronnie. “We’ve seen kids catch their first fish and they get so excited-it’s great.”

Robert and Ronnie also get a lot out of their involvement with The Organization. “Seeing the kids-you can tell when you’ve touched them. It opens me up,” says Robert.

Ronnie adds, “Some kids just need a little love and a little guidance to keep them going, to do the right thing, and to get on the right track.”