Students make winter warmer for neighbors

KENNEBUNK, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Students at the New School in Kennebunk took to the streets to help their neighbors save heat this winter.  Wrapping pipes, insulating homes, and securing storm windows in place were just some of the jobs high schoolers from the school tackled to help folks save on their energy costs.

"We are taking all the windows and we are storm-proofing them," explained sophomore Coalton Stacey.  "We are taking out all the windows and cleaning all the glass plates and panels and washing the insides out of all the dirty, old, rotten leaves and helicopters, whatever they are."

Students spent all of Monday and Tuesday working in teams with weatherization experts who volunteered to teach the kids how to get homes in shape for cold weather.  They were able to assist fifteen homeowners with a wide range of chores intended to seal up air drafts and keep heat inside.

"Hopefully what we did will provide the woman with a lot of help with her air leakage and she will be a lot warmer this winter," said Zachary Pace, a junior at the New School.  "They appreciate the assistance we are providing them with.  Between all of us, we have been able to tackle almost any project so far."

The New School's principal Marylyn Wentworth says every student is required to participate in five 'giving back days' each year.  Instead of spreading their community service out over a variety of projects, students chose to concentrate their efforts on having an impact in their community. 

"They are learning some amazing skills," said Wentworth.  "Now they can go home and do this on their own house.  They also learn a lot about team work, about working together and appreciating each others skills and learning new skills."

Wentworth says the project has been so well received by the kids and the community, that they plan on having a team of students helping people weatherize their home one day each week during the heating season.  If you live in the Kennebunk area and would like to donate time, money or materials - or would like some help weatherizing your home, you can call the school at 985-3745.