70 Members Of Ibew Local 332 Build First "renewable" Tree For Christmas In The Park
The Californer/10055897

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Californer -- Christmas In the Park in downtown San Jose celebrates this year with its first 'renewable' Community Giving Tree, assembled by 70 members from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 332 in San Jose.

The volunteer electricians and apprentices used two boom lifts to hoist themselves up in the air to put together the tree.  It took 9 hours to build the 60-foot tree, one branch at a time.

Previous events featured a live tree. This year's renewable tree will be reused at each subsequent event, and will save some $18,000 each year, replacing the cost to purchase a live tree. Christmas in the Park opens November 29^th and runs through January 5^th, 2020.

Building the Community Giving tree was coordinated by Javier Casillas, President of

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IBEW Local 332. "There were no instructions on how to assemble the tree," said Javier.  "But we build things for a living, so we were able to get it up pretty quickly."

The tree will glow with 100 strands of programmed LED lighting for the second year, again thanks to the efforts of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 332 and the Santa Clara Valley National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)

They are also sponsors of the Christmas in the Park event, providing another $10,000 in donations. They have been decorating the tree at the event for over 30 years.

The new LED lighting system offers an 85% energy savings from the traditional lights used during previous years. LED lights produce light about 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs.)  The multi-colored LED lights are programmed and synced to music, providing both visual and musical entertainment on a daily basis.

"Christmas in the Park is a great event, because it helps to bridge the generations from apprenticeship to retirees in keeping the traditions and values of the community," added Javier Casillas.

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Doug Lung, Executive Director of the National Electrical Contractors Association, Santa Clara Valley Chapter, said NECA and the IBEW were involved in the event as "part of our ongoing efforts to give back to the community."

ABOUT IBEW LOCAL 332 AND THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, SANTA CLARA VALLEY CHAPTER

IBEW Local 332 (IBEW332.org) represents all types of Electrical Workers in Santa Clara County.  The National Electrical Contractors Association, Santa Clara Valley Chapter (SCVNECA.com) represents electrical contractors within Santa Clara County.  They work together to promote the Santa Clara County Electrical industry and frequently donate jointly to various community causes.

Please visit us at http://www.IBEW332.org