“This is such a fun event.”
“This is why we do what we do.”
“Let’s put this on our schedule for next year.”
These are comments from our volunteers following our visit to the SOKO Place Festival in Springfield, Ohio. On Saturday, September 19, we provided festival-goers with 70 ride and drives. In spite of the rain and windy conditions, we all, fair-goers and the Electric Vehicle Association of Ohio (EVA of Ohio) members alike, enjoyed each other at this annual fall festival.
SOKO is Swahili for market. It is an opportunity for African-Americans and Haitian-Americans to come together and purchase products, food and treats from local residents.
EVA of Ohio was invited back to the SOKO Place Festival by the congregation of the Covenant United Methodist Church. The congregation’s leaders understand the need to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) to an underserved urban community, and the importance of regionalism at a time when the Springfield community has had its fair share of political difficulties.
This event embodies our principal of going where the people are, asking them what their needs are, and addressing them by being a sponsor, offering ride and drives in EVs, and sharing our members’ experiences and knowledge about all of the benefits of driving electrically.
The event verifies that the work done by EVA of Ohio is relevant and is aiding in improving the health and economic vitality of communities throughout the state of Ohio.
Thanks to the Jeff Schmitt Auto Group, all the EVA of Ohio volunteers from the Cincinnati and Dayton teams, and the Wilberforce University women’s basketball team who volunteered at this event.
