Go Green during Vikings' Planet Purple Week

The Minnesota Vikings are pleased to partner with Xcel Energy for Planet Purple Week for the third straight season. Organizers are planning a series of community events and activities that celebrate the companies’ dedication to energy conservation and environmental responsibility. Planet Purple Week runs Monday, October 3 through Sunday, October 9.

The Vikings created Planet Purple in conjunction with the NFL’s Green Team with the mission of developing sustainable business practices and utilizing renewable energy in an effort to lessen the team’s impact on the environment. The week features several conservation-focused events in the days prior to the October 9 home game against the Arizona Cardinals at Mall of America Field.

“This partnership blends perfectly with our long standing commitment to helping our customers save energy and money while also reducing their environmental impact,” says Lee Gabler, Xcel Energy Director or Energy Efficiency Programs and Renewable Programs. “This is a great way for us to share our low-cost tips and rebate incentives to Vikings fans.”

The events are as follows:

Tuesday, October 4: Tree planting day presented by Xcel Energy MyAccount at the Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy for Math and Environmental Science from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m . Vikings players, cheerleaders, students and Viktor the Viking will team up with members of Xcel Energy, Toro and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association to highlight the company’s paperless billing programs by planting trees on campus.

Wednesday, October 5: One lucky Twin Cities resident will receive a free Home Energy Squad visit, compliments of Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy and the Center for Energy and Environment. The visit includes a home energy assessment and a chat with Vikings Alumni. The Xcel Energy customer will be chosen through a social media contest and will receive efficiency-boosting products to help save energy and money.

Thursday, October 6: Warm Up/Save Energy day featuring a coat, mitten and glove drive and Xcel Energy heating system rebate information. Viktor the Viking, the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders and Xcel Energy will be at the Xcel Energy Plaza on the corner of Nicollet Mall and 5 th Street to collect new or gently used coats, hats and mittens and distribute heating efficiency program information. This winter clothing drive will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and benefits the United Way.

Friday, October 7: The Ugly Fridge Freeze-Out Photo Contest on Xcel Energy’s Facebook site begins. From October 7-17, entrants are asked to submit photos of their ugly refrigerator to www.Facebook.com/XcelEnergyMN . One winner gets a pair of Vikings’ game tickets.

Sunday, October 9: Planet Purple Week concludes with a game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Vikings have purchased renewable energy through Xcel Energy’s Windsource Program to offset 100 percent of the carbon emissions used to power Mall of America Field for the Cardinals’ game and all other home dates for the remainder of the 2011 season.

Courtesy: Jon Ekstrom/Minnesota Vikings