Though KC is a non-partisan website, it’s time for an unusual stop into the voting arena. There is a need for rebuilding along the coasts of Mississippi, and an unusually special need along the coast of Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana.

Twelve candidates from ten American states are competing to be brought back to light, and the winner will be fully restored to their former place in the sun.

In an innovative private-public venture, JELD-WEN, an Oregon-based national window and door manufacturer, picked a dozen finalists in a nationwide search to find and restore a century-old lighthouse that need fixin’.

Since 2005, the company has held an intiative to prove the reliability of its products — even in coastal climates — by helping to save historic lighthouses. Other restored lighthouses are in Wisconsin, Maryland, and Oregon.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, the New Canal Lighthouse, built in 1890, was damaged beyond repair. Today it’s being brought back to life with what could be salvaged and is a symbol of hope to the rebuilding of New Orleans and surrounding areas.

To help save the lighthouse, Katrina survivors and anyone else can show support by voting for the New Canal Lighthouse at www.jeld-wen.com/lighthouse/index_vote.cfm until September 7.

The other candidates this year are Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse in Maryland, as well as lighthouses in North Carolina, New York, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, California, Rhode Island, and Ohio.

It was challenging to select 12 finalists,” said Lynne Butterworth (really-not the syrup lady!), lighthouse project manager . “We received more than 65 nominations, representing 49 of the nation’s most historic and renowned lighthouses from coast to coast. That’s why we need the public’s support to help us choose the winning lighthouse.”