SYNERGY kids club off to energizing start

By Army Hawaii Family Housing, News ReleaseSeptember 6, 2009

SYNERGY kids club off to energizing start
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Army Hawaii Family Housing celebrated the launch of its SYNERGY Kid's Club last Friday at the Porter Community Center. Pictured above are the "founding" members who pledged their commitment to the program, which will work... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SYNERGY kids club off to energizing start
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SYNERGY kids club off to energizing start
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - SYNERGY Kid's Club participants engage in a learning activity during the club launch at the Porter Community Center, Schofield Barracks, Friday. Participants learned about renewable and non-renewable energy, played an exc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Dozens of children gathered at the Porter Community Center, here, to help launch Army Hawaii Family Housing's (AHFH) new SYNERGY program, Aug. 28.

SYNERGY, Saving Your Nation's Energy, was developed by the Army's housing privatization partner, Actus Lend Lease, and is designed to support the Army's goal of reducing energy consumption.

"SYNERGY will help create awareness among our AHFH families about their energy use at work, at home and within their communities," said Claire Ridding-Johnston, AHFH project director. "Our families - more than 6,000 of them, have a great opportunity to make a significant impact on Army Hawaii, and we hope that together we can make a difference."

The SYNERGY launch offered one session for children and one for adults. The SYNERGY Kid's Club, which incorporates hands-on activities, helps engage children 6-12 years old. Participants learn about energy basics, including renewable and non-renewable energy, energy conservation and how to make a difference.

Activities at the launch included a SYNERGY light-switch decorating contest for a chance to win a bicycle donated by the Army Air Force Exchange Service and a game of Energy BINGO.

"Energy BINGO had all the kids out of their chairs cheering and having a lot of fun," said Brenda Zehrm, Actus Lend Lease.

"It was great to see how hungry our kids are for information, and I was amazed to see how much they already knew about conserving energy," Zehrm added.

Following an exciting evening, kids took on the "Energy Hog Challenge," an activity they can do with their parents.

The adult session was led by James Sullivan, Actus sustainability coordinator, and Robin Hibler, sustainability manager, Directorate of Public Works, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii.

An overview on electricity basics was presented and residents learned about special energy-saving features found in their homes. They were also provided the opportunity to measure their carbon footprint.

"During the exercise, one couple discovered how much they are spending in annual fuel costs for their car," said Sullivan.

"They reasoned that if they upgraded to a more efficient car that gets more miles per gallon, the savings in fuel costs would offset their car payment," he explained.

The SYNERGY program aims to get energy-reducing information like this out to residents - whether a child or an adult, and ultimately reduce energy use in AHFH communities.

The SYNERGY Kid's Club is open to all children residing in AHFH communities, and all adults residing at AHFH are welcome to attend the adult sessions.

The next SYNERGY Kid's Club event is scheduled Nov. 6, 10 a.m., at the Aliamanu Military Reservation community center. The theme is Arbor Day.