WINOOSKI, VT—Three Vermont nonprofits will each receive a $500 donation thanks to Vermonters who chose to spread the love this February during Efficiency Vermont’s second-annual Valentine’s Day contest.
The contest ran for several days before and after the Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day holiday. Visitors to Efficiency Vermont’s Instagram and Facebook pages, and Watts New newsletter subscribers, could enter by nominating a Vermont-based nonprofit of their choice to receive a $500 donation from Efficiency Vermont.
The contest celebrated nonprofits across the state and encouraged Vermonters to spread the word about the critical community resources they provide. The giveaway also raised awareness of Efficiency Vermont’s enhanced rebate for nonprofits, which offers up to $7,500 cash back to eligible nonprofits for qualifying equipment purchases or for completing energy-saving projects. The rebate helps nonprofits make upgrades and reduce operating costs so they focus on the work they do best. The nonprofit rebate remains available through 2026, or while funds remain.
Three winners were randomly selected from eligible entries on Facebook, Instagram, and the Watts New newsletter. In all, the contest received more than 1,000 entries.
The nonprofits receiving a $500 donation through Efficiency Vermont’s contest are:
- Homeward Bound – Addison County’s Humane Society. Nominated by Beth Meese of Isle La Motte, Homeward Bound is a community-centered shelter dedicated to protecting the well-being of homeless, abandoned, and abused/neglected animals. Serving upwards of 3,000 animals a year, they offer animal adoption, education, advocacy, affordable spay/neuter services, and surrender prevention programming. Meese said she chose Homeward Bound because it’s where she adopted her cat, Mr. Nuts. “He was left at Homeward Bound when his previous family moved. He was there for two months before I brought him home. He’s 12 years old now. We love him to pieces.”
- Josh’s House VT / The Josh Pallotta Fund. Founded by a group of veterans, their families, and community members, the Josh Pallotta Fund honors the memory of Joshua R. Pallotta by supporting veterans and service members through programming at Josh’s House VT in Colchester. Liz Siegfried of Essex Junction nominated Josh’s House as a wellness and recreation center for Vermont service members offering resources, connection to emergency services, and support for veterans to help them sustain or return to full and healthy lives. Josh’s House VT is maintained by sponsors, grants, benefit events, and volunteers who donate meals, work at events, and support the organization.
- Chill Foundation. Winooski’s Emily Styles nominated this Burlington-based global nonprofit for their snowboard, skateboard, surfing, and paddleboard programs for youth between the ages of 11 to 19. Started by the founders of Burton Snowboards, Jake and Donna Carpenter, Chill inspires young people through boardsports by working with schools, youth agencies, social programs, and partners to provide programs, cover costs, and remove barriers to participation in order to build a more equitable outdoor community. Chill has served more than 30,000 participants in 20 locations across 9 countries since its founding in 1995.
In addition to a donation to their nonprofit of choice, each winner also received a basketful of love in the form of Vermont-made items valued at $200. The basket included a winter hat from Skida Headwear and Accessories, goat milk soap from Elmore Mountain Farm, two pairs of Darn Tough Vermont wool socks, a wool koozie from Johnson Woolen Mills, and an Efficiency Vermont-branded coffee mug.
Contest winners can also taste the love with edible basket items like maple sugar candies from Mount Mansfield Maple Products, maple BBQ glazes from Halladay’s Harvest Barn, and chocolates and hot cocoa mix from Lake Champlain Chocolates.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont save more than $3.3 billion in lifetime savings and avoid over 14.1 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions since 2000. Operated by clean energy nonprofit VEIC, Efficiency Vermont has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award over eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low-carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]