On The Road
July 19, 2009
Saving Santa
Posted by Jordan Sevenhuysen
Where: Silly Boat Regatta, Nanaimo
Working as a community outreach representative with BC Hydro this summer, I've had many conversations with all sorts of people, young and old. Some have been good, some have been strange, and some have left me with a different outlook on energy conservation and a smile on my face.
Such was the case recently at the Nanaimo Silly Boat Regatta, an awesome annual festival that helps raise money for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre.
After one little girl had had a chance to participate in our Power Smart slalom course, I challenged her with a Power Smart question, asking her, "What are two things you can do at home to save power?" She looked at me, puzzled and not sure what to say, when her mother bent down beside her and rephrased my question: "What are two things we do at home to help save Santa?"
Now it was my turn to be confused, not quite knowing what the mother meant. But before I knew it, the girl brightened up and confidently answered, "Turn down the heat and close the fridge door!"
The mother turned to me, and noticing my wondering look, explained how since greenhouse gases were threatening the ice fields, by conserving, we were in fact helping to save Santa and his home, the North Pole. "Ohhh," I said with a smile, finally understanding the connection, "I had never thought of it like that."
The girl left our booth that day with a Power Smart lanyard for a prize, but she taught me something valuable too. Sometimes it helps to look at things from a child's point of view, like in the case of energy conservation. So remember, by turning off your lights and turning down the heat, not only are you saving for future generations, you're also helping to save Santa Claus.
Jordan Sevenhuysen is a Community Outreach representative based out of Nanaimo and will be at community events throughout the summer.
