September 2024 Newsletter

You can feel Energy as the Ball approaches Nov. 7

Become a Friend and regularly support ReThink’s work

Most of our efforts are primarily funded through grants, specifically the STEM Ed program, Energy Whiz Expo, and our campaign team. Our SEED team, which provides education in low-income communities on clean renewable energy and resources to address their weatherization and energy efficiency needs, was started with funding from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

Grant funding comes and goes, and we continue to need steady donations to keep our work going. We actually have some significant grants coming in October, but we need your help to keep the work going between now and then.

This leads us to our Friends Program. Friends of ReThink Energy Florida is a program to provide both financial and volunteer support to sustain our efforts. This program is a unique way to give back to REF because you are able to join our community with incentives and benefits. These members are the engine that keeps our work going, and we are so grateful for their support.

The ongoing support of Friends of ReThink Energy makes our work possible. They receive perks like a Rethink Energy Florida Bamboo Utensil Set and discounts for fee-based workshops. You’ll notice that the most discounted tickets to the Energy Ball are for our Friends. To become a Friend, pledge annually to volunteer 12 hours, give $120, or a mix of both. You can sign up on our website or by clicking the button below.

Join Friends of REF

Grab your Energy Ball tickets now!

Join us for the Energy Ball 2024 at the beautiful Goodwood Museum and Gardens! Mark your calendars for Nov. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. EDT. Don’t miss this elegant evening of celebration. Secure your tickets now.

Leon County District 5 Commissioner David O’Keefe will host the 2024 Energy Ball! Elected in 2022, Commissioner O’Keefe is a dedicated advocate for our community. Join us for a night of celebration, innovation, and energy!

Raisin’ Cane will perform live at the 2024 Energy Ball! We know they will fill this night of celebration and innovation with music that will keep you dancing all night long.

Energy Ball Tickets

Be a sponsor and rise to the occasion

Engage with 250 guests and support clean energy, STEM education, and policy advocacy. Enjoy live music, dinner, awards, and more!

Become a Sponsor

Don’t forget about our Silent Auction

One of the highlights of the Energy Ball is walking around to the Silent Auction table and writing down bids. Well, we need those items that you think can help us raise money.

Hit the button below to email us what you would like to donate to the silent auction.

Silent Auction

Energy Ball needs you

We need volunteers leading up to the event to help us put it together. The Energy Ball Committee needs help planning, soliciting silent auction items, and recruiting sponsors. You do not need to be present or in Tallahassee to help.

The funds from ReThink’s annual fundraiser support educational opportunities and our programs overcoming energy burdens in low-to-moderate-income communities.

The next Energy Ball meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 10 at noon EDT. There will be a make-up check-in on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. EDT.

Energy Ball Planning

Want to just help on the day of?

Day-of Volunteering

Energy Innovator Nominations are still open

ReThink’s Energy Innovator Awards recognize outstanding service to the community and forward-thinking. We have categories for youth, individuals, businesses, and organizations to be nominated for an award.

Innovator Nomination

Reclaiming Florida’s Future – Year Round: Heading Into Fall and Legislative Agenda Development

The Reclaiming Florida’s Future legislative program held four introductory coalition-building events over the last two months. We brought in new partners and laid out the plans for year-round advocacy for clean energy, clean air, and clean water.

If you are interested in joining the coalition to advocate for clean energy year-round, please click below. And if you have not attended one of our meetings, let us know in the form, and we will catch you up!

Fight for Florida

Update on The Upper Limit Project

The Upper Limit for Rising Seas project continues its work in preparation for exciting international activity. On Sept. 25, the UN General Assembly will convene a high-level meeting on Sea-Level Rise to address the urgent and escalating threat of rising seas.

Youth Education’s great work continues outreach

Over the course of the summer, due to partnerships with other camps, our youth educators connected 175 children with our camp curriculum. Both of our camp partners asked us to continue our partnerships in the school year, along with our regular Title 1 school partners for STEM Education.

This is one of the places where your support, either through sponsoring, purchasing your Energy Ball Tickets, or becoming a friend, will be instrumental in allowing us to provide services to our schools. This is even more critical as climate change is being systematically removed from being mentioned in schools.

Donate

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) or by visiting www.800helpfla.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.