Earth Day in Whittier has a strong Downey connection

Bianca Salgado at a climate rally in Uptown Whittier.

WHITTIER – Will an electric vehicle be in your future? Want to learn more about the incentives to make new and used EVs more affordable? For Californians, every day brings us one day closer to owning an EV. 

Whittier’s Earth Day event - this Saturday, April 29, from 11 am to 3 pm at First Friends Church in Uptown Whittier – will give you a chance to see and learn about your dream car, truck or other vehicle either battery powered or – soon – solar powered. 

Over 10 new and used vehicles will be displayed, including models from Chevy, Ford, Kia, Nissan, Subaru, Tesla, Volvo and VW – e-bikes and other vehicles, too. One car will be available for short test drives. 

The Whittier Earth Day event will also focus on healthy lifestyles, addressing energy-efficient houses, cooking, and water-efficient landscaping. Whittier’s many non-profit organizations that work to lower our carbon footprint will present their latest work. 

“Reducing our carbon footprint isn’t just good for the climate, it’s a great way to save money, too,” commented Bianca Salgado, a 2013 Downey High School alumna and president of the Whittier Area United Nations Association, organizer of the event. “We are grateful for the support of student members of Downey High’s Eco Club who will be helping as volunteers, and Sustainable Home Construction, also of Downey, a scheduled exhibitor.” 

An innovation for this year’s event will be healthy eating – healthy for individuals and our planet. Vegetarian, vegan and organic food from local restaurans and the Whittier Farmers’ Market will be available for tasting. 

Also new this year, the event will include addressing the mindset of healthy creativity through exploring how poetry and meditation can help us prepare the planet for future generations. 

Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri has been invited to attend, while Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and youth climate activist and OneUpAction founder Kevin Patel are scheduled to provide opening remarks. 

Earth Day in Whittier is organized by the United Nations Association Whittier Chapter and its project, the Whittier Area Environment Coalition, which comprises several local non-profit bodies cooperating with the Whittier Uptown Association. 

Energy will be provided by First Friends Church’s solar array and battery system, as well as the batteries of a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck provided by Puente Hills Ford.