As the sun rises over the hills off of Vista Boulevard, Pastor Art Lenon flips on light switches and powers up the computers at The Rock church, igniting an electrical grid that costs the church more than $72,000 in annual electric bills.

Lenon said he thinks that money could be better invested elsewhere. So, on June 28 the church is hosting a parking lot jubilee in an effort to raise enough money to make the conversion to solar power. Lenon estimates that the switch to solar would carve 80 percent out of the church's power bill. The church is the first in Sparks to convert to solar power.

"We pay about $72,000 per year in power bills," Lenon said. "If we were to reduce that by 80 percent per year we would have about $57,000 to put back into the community. Power bills are just an expense whereas putting the money into the community is an investment."

Sierra Pacific Power is helping the church with some funding for the conversion. Sierra Pacific has agreed to give the church a $150,000 solar credit to complete the project. Black Rock Solar and Alternative Energy Solutions are also involved in talks with the church, offering to install the solar panels in September for a discounted rate of $50,000.

"Black Rock (Solar) said that they would do the job at this price with the agreement that the savings be put back into the community," Lenon said.

However, before the project can get underway, the church needs to find $50,000 in funding. Lenon hopes to accomplish that through the parking lot party on June 28 where congregation members will gather for food, fun and shopping.

Solar Generations, a local resource for solar energy education, will have a booth with tips for being more energy conscious.

Church members are also encouraged to bring items to sell, donating the proceeds to the solar project. The Rock church will provide food booths and a silent auction.

"It's a 'get outside with the family' kind of event," Lenon said. "There will be things to buy and rummage through. And who can resist a garage sale?"

On Monday, Mayor Geno Martini proclaimed June 22-28 R.O.C.K Jubilee Week. The letters in R.O.C.K. stand for Reaching Our Community's Kids.

Martini will also be present at the event on June 28 to perform the ribbon cutting for Pebbles Preschool and Kindergarten. The preschool opened in February and the kindergarten will start classes in the fall.

The fundraising event will also feature a school supply drive for Kate Smith Elementary School. The church adopted the school last year through a Washoe County School District sponsorship.

The pastor has vowed that the money previously devoted to power bills will be redirected to children's programs in the community.

"A good percent of our budget here goes to kids' ministries," Lenon said. "We really believe that kids are our future."