17-04-2025
DPAO recipient of 'Bright Lights, Future' upgrade
Apr. 17—WATERTOWN — The Disabled Persons Action Organization has been named one of three nonprofit recipients nationwide of the "Bright Lites, Bright Future" award, an initiative sponsored by Sonepar USA, a leading distributor of electrical, industrial and safety products and related products.
The award, selected from over 440 Sonepar-affiliated locations across the U.S., provides deserving nonprofits with the opportunity to upgrade their facilities through a comprehensive LED lighting retrofit. DPAO was selected as the Eastern Region winner, alongside two other organizations representing the Central and Western regions of the country.
The program aims to enhance nonprofit environments by increasing energy efficiency, reducing operating costs and creating brighter, safer spaces for staff and visitors. Through a partnership with Cooper Lighting and local Sonepar-owned companies including Cooper Electric, which nominated DPAO, the organization received a complete lighting system overhaul at its two Watertown facilities.
"I immediately thought of DPAO when the program was announced," Vinnie DeGennaro, outside sales representative at Cooper Electric, said in a news release. "They are an outstanding organization that does incredible work for the community. When I visited their facilities, I saw outdated lighting systems with many fixtures that were no longer functional. It was clear they could benefit greatly from this opportunity."
The submission included a site assessment, photographs and detailed upgrade recommendations for both building interiors, exterior wall-mounted fixtures and the parking lot. Cooper Electric also enlisted local contractor NYTRIC for installation estimates and covered all labor costs for the project.
Thanks to the retrofit, DPAO's energy usage has been cut in half, and the facilities now feature modern, efficient and brighter LED lighting systems. In addition to operational savings, the new system includes a five-year warranty, reducing the need for costly maintenance.
While National Grid was not directly involved with DPAO, Cooper Electric did receive energy incentives through National Grid's efficiency programs, further helping support the cost of materials and labor.
"We're proud to support organizations like DPAO that are making a difference in our communities," DeGennaro said. "The fact that we were selected from across all of Sonepar USA makes this even more meaningful."
