There is still no indication when the Rockaways will get power back, so we went out again last Friday to install solar chargers and train organizers to distribute more to people who need power to charge their phones and light their rooms. One thing we learned from this is that you can’t train enough. We made sure to go through the basics of solar charging and installation as many times as possible. Thanks to Brian Battjer for all the photos!
We delivered the bulk of the chargers to Betsy and her team at Veggie Island. They had a program in place to provide elderly and sick with pre-programmed phones so that they can get help in an emergency. Our chargers would keep these donated phones or their own phones powered up.
Training the great organizers at Veggie Island
Solar charging an iPhone at Veggie Island
View from outside of panel at Veggie Island
Explaining system to volunteer at Veggie Island
Tools ready to clean some houses at Veggie Island
Occupy Sandy’s HQ at Yana on 113th Street also received more. I knew they were needed when I heard “I love you” when I walked in with more boxes containing kits. An organizer told me that several residents were moved to tears when they learned that they could keep their phone charged and stay in communication with their family.
Walking over to Yana
Training organizer at Yana
- A 16 Watt Kit charging station at Yana
Finally, we installed a charger with a family that had reached out to us directly.
Installing panel on outside of window
Explaining how to use light and charger
Panel outside window facing roughly South
Here are some other pictures from the day.
Surfers are back (not sure if this is good or bad)
Absurdity - this phone in the middle of the beach still worked.
I love seeing the difference even a little bit of solar can make in situations like these. I can’t wait for UPS to drop off my first kit in the morning!