About 100 volunteers from throughout Seattle came out to the White Center community on Saturday to help raise awareness about the opportunities of the new, clean, and green economy -- good, green jobs that provide pathways out of poverty and into prosperity, that are good for people and good for our Earth, and that we need now more than ever.

The event took place in White Center, a highly-diverse, economically-challenged neighborhood located south of Seattle in unincorporated King County. The event was designed to promote home energy efficiency, spur economic development, increase awareness about the emerging green job market, and raise funds for Moontown Foundation's Eco-Apprentice Scholarship Fund (a fund to help low-income youth and young adults pursue educational training and certifications in so-called green job trades -- i.e., energy efficiency auditing and solar panel installation -- at local vocational and community colleges). Volunteers walked door-to-door in the ethnically diverse and low-income community of White Center to hand out reusable eco-bags filled with compact florescent light bulbs, tips on how to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills, info on energy assistance programs, and voter registration forms. Residents could also enter into a drawing to win one of fifty free energy audits.

In between canvassing the neighborhood, volunteers were treated to breakfast and lunch catered by the Tauaifaiga family; led in morning stretches and exercise by the Willie Austin Foundation; addressed by local elected leaders, including State Representative Bob Hasegawa and King County Councilman Dow Constantine, and Christine Gregoire, Governor Gregoire's daughter; educated by interactive tabling and exhibits at the eco-village; and entertained by spoken word from Dennis Adams (a member of the new Got Green Project), African musical performance by Ejo Ayanmo, and live music by Global Heat!

Many thanks to Stacy Noland of the Moontown Foundation and Michael Woo of the Got Green Project for planning, and hosting this memorable event! Props to Khepra Ptah, Rob Arthur, and Dennis Adams of the Got Green Project for orienting, training and inspiring volunteers. Thanks to Sol Bey of the Washington Community Action Network for helping coordinate the canvassing. Gratitude to the City of Seattle (including Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities) for their support and donated materials (including bags and CFLs). Acknowledgement and respect to Seattle Vocational Institute, Shoreline Community College, and all students in attendance for their participation and ongoing hard work to make this place a better world. Kudos to EnviroSpeak.tv for their talented coverage of the event. And finally, thanks so very much to ALL the incredible volunteers, contributors and partners organizations -- on the steering committee and on the ground -- including those not named here, without whose energy, dedication, and support this green jobs movement would never happen!