OUR COUNTY
D. Gary Davis

County Mayor

 

Make a Difference Day is this Saturday, October 28th.  It is the largest national day of helping others and it occurs every year on the 4th Saturday in October.   

 

If you don’t already do so, I encourage you to take some time this week to make a difference in your community, either by volunteering at many of the wonderful community service agencies or simply performing a random act of kindness for a friend, neighbor or stranger. 

 

I would like to thank East Cleveland Church of God for stepping up and making a difference in the life of Ms. Howard by helping her clean-up her property.  Many of us like to complain about our neighborhood, but these church members chose to take a positive action and help their neighbor. 

 

Tina Rice, a Bradley County employee is trying to make a difference in the lives of many in the armed services currently serving in Iraq with Operation Christmas “Presence”.  Tina, the mother of a US Army soldier, has a goal of reaching 100 soldiers with care packages for the holidays. 

 

Tina is currently accepting donations to include in the packages.  A list of suggested products can be found at www.operationchristmaspresence.com.  If you have questions or if you need additional information, you can contact Tina Rice at 593.2460. 

 

Operation Christmas “Presence” is a great opportunity to make a difference and show our support for our troops.  I encourage you to participate in this wonderful program.  

 

I want to take this opportunity to remind you that this year, I am volunteering to help preserve our country's energy resources and help reduce the risks of global climate change by encouraging Bradley County citizens to change at least one light at home to one that has earned the government's ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency.

 

The goal is to encourage 880 people, or 1% of the population of Bradley County, to take the online ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge by November 30th.  Just think, by reaching this goal we will be making a significant impact on our environment, saving 250,980 kWh of electricity, the environmental equivalent of removing 6 cars from the road while also reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions going into the air by 396,050 pounds.

 

Because lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of the average home's electric bill, changing to more efficient options helps reduce our electric bills at home. Over the life of a single compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), you can save an average of $30 or more in electricity costs. Every CFL uses at least 2/3 less energy than a standard incandescent and lasts as much as 10 times longer.

 

Make a difference and go take the pledge at www.bradleyco.net on the County Mayor’s page (or www.energystar.gov/changealight  and select Bradley County from the list).  It will help improve our environment while saving money on your electric bill. 

 

If you are looking for ideas for opportunities to volunteer, go to makeadifferenceday.com.  There are many great project ideas there or I am sure the United Way could steer you in the right direction (www.unitedwaybc.com or 479.2020). 

 

There are many in this community who make a difference in our community on a regular basis through the numerous organizations in Bradley County and I would like to thank you for all you do.  Bradley County is made up of many caring, compassionate people and this was apparent most recently with the great outpouring of support for the Weir Family.  I am proud to live in and serve this community!