WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE- A group of high schoolers living in part of north Baton Rouge known for the highest crime rate hope work they did today will make a difference in their community.

About 20 Istrouma High School volunteers, along with employees of Entergy, devoted their time to weatherize 16 homes in the neighborhood around their school.

The energy-efficiency improvements will help customers reduce energy use in their homes and lower their monthly bills.

Some of the work included caulking around windows, installing weather stripping around external doors, repairing holes and cracks in floors and walls, installing water heater blankets and much more.

Homeowners welcomed the help.

"It means a whole lot to me, just to know that someone cared enough about me to come out and do what they're doing today," says homeowner, Lynda Turner.

Students helping out said they hope their contributions will make a difference.

"Maybe people will look at this area as a better place than what they think it is already, maybe we can make a lot of changes to this community," said student John Snowden.

The Istrouma energy-efficiency effort is both part of Entergy's month of statewide environmental volunteerism, and its Istrouma School Zone initiative.