ST. MATTHEWS — On the rainy Monday afternoon of Oct. 12, representatives from The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina gathered at the home of Linda Butler of St. Matthews to notify her the she was a grand prize winner of a $10,000 energy-efficiency upgrade to her home in the “Help My House” contest.

The contest ran from Aug. 1 to Sept. 15 with Butler selected from four finalists in the Columbia television area. Additional winners were selected from six other television markets in the state.

The group gathered outside the Butler home at 2756 Old Belleville Road in the pouring rain only to find she was not at home. Her brother-in-law, Bill Snipes, was contacted and arrived and accepted for Butler. Making the presentation was Dukes Scott of the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff and Lou Green, communications executive vice president of The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.

Scott said, “Energy efficiency has moved up in priority. This is a way to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Snipes said, “I know she will appreciate it.”

Butler was contacted later as renovations were beginning. She said, “It is really nice. My house will be warmer.” The $10,000 energy upgrade will include new heating/air conditioning units, insulation, water heaters and other efficiency upgrades.

“Help My House” was created by the electric cooperatives to promote home energy efficiency. Media sponsors included South Carolina Living Magazine, WRDW-TV (Augusta), WCBD-TV (Charleston) WBTV-TV (Charlotte), WIS-TV (Columbia), WBTW-TCV (Myrtle Beach), WSAV-TV (Savannah), and WSPA-TV (Spartanburg). Corporate sponsors included Apple Blossom Insulators, Glenco Insulation, Lennox and Marathon Water Heaters.

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