Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.  This year, Giving Tuesday is November 30.

Like many old buildings in the city, St. Michael's Church still has cloth wiring.  To replace the miles of wiring would be enormous.  The current city code states that we do not have to replace the cloth wiring that is in place, but if we have any new electrical projects, we need to install new wiring for those projects.  After consulting with three electrical engineers, the recommendation was to minimize the amperage going through the cloth wiring.  This will not only protect the church wiring but it will also save the parish money on our electric bills.

We have begun to replace all the CFL bulbs in the church and parish offices with LED lighting.  The new lighting will also be aesthetically appropriate for the church.  In addition, our emergency lighting for both the church and parish offices is antiquated.  They do not meet the current city code.  All emergency lighting and exit signs are being updated.  

The cost of these projects total approximately $25,000.  

 Why would we undertake this initiative?

• LED lighting products produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. 
• LEDs use heat sinks to absorb the heat produced by the LED and dissipate it into the surrounding environment.  This keeps LEDs from overheating and burning out.
• LED lighting is more efficient, versatile, and lasts longer.  LEDs are directional light sources, which means they emit light in a specific direction, unlike incandescent and CFL, which emit light and heat in all directions.
• For example,  9W Energy Star certified LED bulb with a brightness of 800 lumens has an estimated energy cost of $1.26/year while a 43W Halogen bulb with the same brightness has an estimated energy cost of $6.02/year.

  Consider a gift to St. Michael on Giving Tuesday to help underwrite the cost of this project.
Text TUESDAY to 1-312-313-9692 or click on the link  #LightUpStMikes