Sonepar to Complete 13 Free Retrofits for Local Communities With Help from Acuity Brands & Cooper Lighting
Charleston-based Sonepar is on its way to completing 13 free LED lighting retrofits for community non-profits as part of its annual “Bright Lights Brighter Futures” program. In addition, it has made an Earth Day donation of more than $12,000 to the National Forest Foundation. The two charitable initiatives tie into Sonepar’s global Purpose of “Powering Progress for Future Generations,” which includes bold commitments to communities and the environment.
“Bright Lights Brighter Futures is a home run of a program,” commented Bill Mortimer, Director Strategic Vendor Engagement at Sonepar USA. “In addition to improving the appearance of a facility, a free lighting retrofit reduces energy consumption and lowers utility bills. Every dollar these non-profits save on energy costs can be reinvested in their missions. The program is providing services and materials valued at more than $130,000 this year.”
In 2024 the program launched with three lighting upgrades for community organizations. In its second year, Bright Lights Brighter Futures will quadruple its impact with nearly two dozen retrofits for non-profits – one nominated by each Sonepar operating company across the country. Six retrofits have been completed, with seven more to be installed by summer.
Services and funding from trusted partners allow Sonepar to coordinate end-to-end services for each retrofit, including product procurement, a facility audit, system design, installation, and recycling of the old lamps.
Acuity Brands and Cooper Lighting contributed up to $5,000 in materials for each upgrade, while Terracycle Regulated Waste provided free, eco-friendly and compliant lamp recycling services with their EasyPak and BulkPak solutions. Local contractors donated their time and expertise to carry out the installations, and SnapCount’s software was used to perform audits for several of the upgrades.
“The program is truly powered by our partners,” said Mortimer. “I especially want to thank Acuity Brands, Cooper Lighting, TerraCycle Regulated Waste, SnapCount and our local installers. We couldn’t make this positive impact on communities across America without their generous contributions.”
The recipient organizations work on a variety of meaningful causes for vulnerable populations, including rehabilitation, prevention of child abuse, support of domestic violence survivors, and services for disabled children and adults.
Sonepar’s global Purpose also includes a bold commitment to protecting the planet through sustainability. As an official Tree Planting Partner of the National Forest Foundation (NFF), Sonepar runs an annual “Place an Order, Plant a Tree” campaign in the U.S. for Earth Week. For every online order placed by a customer during Earth Week, Sonepar makes a donation to plant a tree. Following the successful 2025 campaign, Sonepar has made a donation of $12,000 in support of conservation efforts in America’s National Forests. In the five years of Sonepar’s partnership with the NFF, Sonepar has funded the planting of nearly 58,000 trees.
Main Photo: Before and after retrofit at New Path Child & Family Solutions coordinated by Echo Electric
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