Thursday, February 11, 2010

So What Exactly IS this "Spring Rebuilding Day", Anyway???

Rebuilding Together began in 1973, in Midland, Texas, when volunteers decided to devote one day in April to repairing and sprucing up the dilapidated homes of low-income, disabled, and elderly neighbors in their community.

"Why, this is like Christmas in April!" they were told, and the idea spread across the country.

The program was brought to Seattle in 1990 and in 1993 Christmas in April was incorporated as an independent, non-profit organization in Seattle.  In 2000, the organization, recognizing the growing needs of low-income homeowners, expanded its mission to provide more year-round services along with a greater diversity of services.  With the expanded mission came a new name that reflected the work and partnership approach used by our program, now known as Rebuilding Together.

Today, there are over 200 affiliates in all 50 states. With the help of 2.5 million volunteers, the national affiliate network has delivered over $1 billion in market value repair work since its founding. Since 1990, Rebuilding Together Seattle has renovated over 700 homes and community centers in local neighborhoods, and looks forward to celebrating its 20th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day this April!

Rebuilding Together still recognizes their big rebuilding day in April, now called National Rebuilding Day. Every year, all Rebuilding Together affiliates dedicate the last Saturday in April to a massive one-day marathon of donated repair services and materials to homeowners and nonprofit facilities in need.

And THAT, my friends, is the story behind National Rebuilding Day or as we like to refer to it:

 Spring Rebuilding Day!!

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