RTS Energizer: Gabe Nelson (O'Dea High School)

Gabe Nelson was selected as the RTS Energizer for the O'Dea High School Project One site by Project Leaders, David Olinger and Kelly Guiberson. Though there were many hard-working students on site, Gabe was chosen for his eagerness to help in any way possible and his focus on the project at hand:

"Right from the start of the project, Gabe was eager to begin working and willing to work on any project where help was needed," Kelly said. "When he had a free moment, he would come up to me and say "I need a job. I will do anything- I just like to work!"

Gabe was assigned to work on construction at the back patio area. He operated the roto hammer with skill and stayed on task until the project was fully completed. He also worked on spreading gravel, yard maintenance, garbage pick up, sweeping, laying pavers and more.

"There was more than one occasion when I saw him running from one job to the next! He was truly energized!" Kelly explained.

Way to go Gabe!!

To make a donation to Rebuilding Together Seattle in Gabe's honor, please visit our donation website!

The Rebuilding Together Seattle Energizer Award!

This year, RTS has established a new volunteer award!! We will highlight one volunteer from each Spring Rebuilding Day 2010 Site who was selected as a “RTS Energizer” by his or her site leaders, in recognition of his or her outstanding efforts during the rebuilding day.

Stay tuned for blog posts featuring our inspirational volunteers!

RTS Sponsor receives Association of Washington Business Award

Honeywell (Redmond, WA) recently received an Association of Washington Business Award in the category of Community Service and subcategories of Helping People and Recognizing Volunteerism.

Since Fall Rebuilding Day 2008, Honeywell has sponsored and provided volunteer support for four RTS rebuilding days. Honeywell's support of Rebuilding Together Seattle is just one of their many community service efforts. Honeywell is more than deserving of such recognition!

Gary Ballas, an RTS Board Member and Senior Technical Manager at Honeywell Aerospace, has been instrumental in Honeywell's involvement with Rebuilding Together Seattle: "Community service is never about the recognition one receives in return for one’s efforts, but I am glad that Honeywell can set an example for other companies in Washington," Gary said. "We all enjoy ourselves so much when we volunteer- we are excited about our continued relationship with Rebuilding Together Seattle!"

Thank you, Honeywell, for your generosity!

Krekow Jennings' Time Lapse of SRD 2010!!

Krekow Jennings sponsored the Boys & Girls Club of Seattle project for Spring Rebuilding Day 2010 and set up a camera to take a picture of their progress every few minutes. The result is this awesome time-lapse video!! Thanks Ryan and Pat for your hard work as Project Leaders!!

Don't forget about the SRD 2010 PHOTO CONTEST!!!

Send your Spring Rebuilding Day 2010 photos to sihrie@rtseattle.org for consideration in the

 SRD 2010 photo contest!!!

Each volunteer may submit up to 4 photos from SRD (4-24-10). Photos must be emailed to sihrie@rtseattle.org no later than Monday, May 3, 2010.

Winners will be chosen in each of the following categories:

- Best Action Shot,

- Best Before & After Photo(s),

- Best Homeowner Photo, and
- Best Group Photo.

The winning photos will be announced in May and highlighted on the RTS Blog and Website!

Daybreak Star Center Thanks RTS and Magnolia Rotary

The Daybreak Star Cultural Center is a Native American cultural center described by its parent organization, United Indians of All Tribes, as "an urban base for Native Americans in the Seattle area." It is located in Discovery Park in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. 

The Rotary Club of Magnolia sponsored and provided volunteers for the Spring Rebuilding Day 2010 project at the Daybreak Center.

The Executive Director of United Indians, Marty Bluewater, sent a thank you to RTS and the Magnolia Rotary:

To Magnolia Rotary and Rebuilding Together,

On behalf of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation Staff, Board of Directors and community members, I want to express our extreme gratitude to you all for this past weekend’s wonderful volunteer project at Daybreak Star. Also, because of the initial Rotary contact, Rebuilding Together developed another project for our Youth Home and as it turned out I was told that it was the largest Rebuilding Together project in Seattle. (side note from RTS- please see upcoming post on the Labateyah Youth Home sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Living who provided 150 volunteers!)

Many major improvements were made at both facilities and all of our programs and services will greatly benefit. Plus it seemed that everyone had a fun time and the weather spirits cooperated !!!


It was a very, very good day...

 Marty

Sign in

kiddies watching the cement being poured

awesome view!

J2 Building Consultants' Amazing Work on SRD 2010!

J2 Building Consultants sent RTS their before and after pictures from Saturday the 24th, Spring Rebuilding Day 2010, and we were just astounded at the improvements they had made!

BEFORE:

AND....

AFTER!:

RTS Thanks KOMO 4 News for capturing our BIG day!

Thank you, KOMO news, for capturing our 20th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day!



Please watch our video from Saturday's 1000+ volunteer event!

Safeway Project Recap

On April 10th, Safeway sponsored and provided volunteers for a rebuilding day to assist and elderly and disabled couple on Beacon Hill. The Safeway volunteers arrived bright and early at 7:30 am to get straight to work! The volunteers and project leaders (lead by Project Manager, Rick Jones) landscaped the back yard, built a deck, installed railings, painted the bedrooms, and replaced kitchen appliances. RTS was amazed by the incredible amount of work accomplished in one day, and was thrilled to work with one of the most hardworking and dedicated volunteer groups of the year.

"The project was really a corporate endeavor - we have the same priorities of supporting community and people with disabilities," said Safeway District Manager for Seattle, Scott Schmadeke. "The project was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life. To see a group of people come together to help somebody who can’t help themselves, whether due to financial reasons or physical inabilities, and to increase their quality of life was extremely fulfilling."

RTS sends a BIG THANKS to Rick Jones, who did a phenomenal job planning the project and keeping the Safeway volunteers busy and organized!

Thank you, Safeway, for such a successful and fulfilling project!

Project Leader, Rick, with Safeway volunteers

Homeowner, Ola, with her grandson-in-law

volunteers hard at work

Working on the new ramp!

Building a new deck!

Rick and Ola

RTS Thanks Seattle Bank for Sponsoring the Franklin H.S. Project!

Last Sunday, April 18th, Seattle Bank and the Sounders FC kicked off their first "United We Serve" community enhancement program by sponsoring a Rebuilding Together Seattle project at Franklin High School. Franklin High School students and parents, Seattle Bank volunteers, and Sounders players and fans came together to paint, landscape and generally improve a few main areas in and around the historic Franklin High School.  The project was a huge success and tons of fun.

Thank you for your sponsorship, Seattle Bank!! 

RTS receives grant to start Annual Repair Program

On Wednesday, April 21, RTS received a call from the Adobe Foundation, with news that they will be awarding RTS with a grant of $7,500 to start an Annual Repair Program! The Adobe Foundation will also offer a significant in-kind donation of $10,000 worth of free software for the office.

The RTS Annual Repair Program will begin at the start of Fiscal Year 2011, on July 1st, 2010. The purpose of the Annual Repair Program will be to offer (monthly) "quick repairs" and funding for smaller rebuilding days to RTS clients throughout the year. Projects will include the installation of grab bars, CFLs, efficient shower heads, clutter removal, yard clean up, and some plumbing and electric repairs. Following the mission of RTS, all services will be provided at no cost to the individuals served.

During the first year of the Annual Repair Program, RTS has a goal to double the total number of clients served (during Fiscal Year 2010, RTS will help an estimated 40 clients).

RTS thanks the Adobe Foundation for their continued support of our organization, and for allowing RTS to help more homeowners in need!

If you or someone you know is interested in being part of the RTS Annual Repair Program through offering additional funding or volunteer support, please contact the RTS Office at 206.682.1231.

DW Close Company supports SRD 2010 projects

DW Close is a Seattle-based electrical contractor specializing in electrical design, construction and service. The DW Close team will be helping out this year at a project site on Spring Rebuilding Day 2010, and has already assisted other project sites with client electric needs.

DW Close has been looking for a way to become more involved in community outreach projects and was excited to be invited to participate in SRD 2010 with Rebuilding Together Seattle. This will be DW Close’s first year with RTS but the company is looking forward to building a life-long relationship with RTS and other organizations throughout the community.

Ric Fegurgur, a project manager at DW Close, is excited to work with RTS: “DW Close is committed to helping those in need, especially in such a tough economy.” Ric explained. “We’ve heard nothing but positive things about RTS and I feel very fortunate to work for a company that promotes community involvement.”

Thank you, DW Close, for helping out on SRD 2010!

Center for Spiritual Living named a RTS Ambassador

On Sunday, April 11th, Val Gorder (RTS Board President) and Margie Thirlby (RTS Director) presented the Center for Spiritual Living (CSL) with a RTS Ambassador's Award. The Ambassador's Award was created by the RTS Board of Directors as an effort to recognize volunteer and sponsor groups that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to RTS for at least five years.

On Spring Rebuilding Day 2010, The CSL will celebrate its 14th year of partnership with RTS through restoring the United Indians' Youth Home in Crown Hill. The CSL received a unanimous vote from the RTS Board after their nomination to become the first recipient of the Ambassador's Award. "In my two years at RTS, I have never seen more dedicated and hard working group than the CSL," said Margie Thirlby. "Every year, the CSL has the largest turnout of any volunteer group, and they simply go above and beyond with all their projects."

When asked about the CSL's commitment RTS for so many years, Rev. Kathianne Lewis commented: "The Center for Spiritual Living supports Rebuilding Together because it gives our friends and members an opportunity to play together while doing good work in the greater community. Rebuilding Together provides an easy way to make very significant contribution to the communities that we live in. It is rewarding to experience the instant gratification of building, or rebuilding together! Our shared missions mesh well together and empower individuals and communities to work together to making the world a better place."

RTS congratulates CSL on their award, and looks forward for many more years of partnership!

United We Serve!

On Sunday, April 18th, RTS partnered with the Sounders FC and Seattle Bank to make improvements to Franklin High School. Sounders FC and Seattle Bank chose RTS to kick off their "United We Serve" Community Enhancement Program. Franklin High School turned up impressive numbers of student volunteers, who set the mood with enthusiasm and excitement- what a great group of kids:

The gang after the morning meeting!

Volunteers hard at work!

Sounder players, Steve Zakuani and James Riley, with volunteers

Steve and James hanging the new soccer nets donated

by the Sounders to the soccer teams at Franklin HS

Sounders players with Franklin HS Soccer players

Incredible Before and After:

BEFORE

AFTER

GREAT WORK TO ALL INVOLVED!!!!

Special thanks to the United We Serve program, Project Leaders, RTS Board Members, Franklin HS volunteers, Steve Zakuani and James Riley!

Check it out at Komo 4 News!!

Shop for a Cause TODAY!

Today is "Shop for a Cause" with Curtsy Bella Boutique! Stop by anytime today (10:00 am to 6:00pm) to check out their fun gifts. 10% of all purchases will go to RTS!

Address: 2920 Northeast Blakeley Street, Seattle, WA 98105

Curtsy Bella is located near the northeast entrance of University Village Shopping Center on Blakeley Street. Free street parking is available.

Questions? Call Curtsy Bella at: (206) 523-3221

Thank you for your support!

The RTS Staff & Board
www.rtseattle.org

AG Tree Service helps the Concierge Guild of Seattle prepare for SRD 2010 at a Parkview Home

The Concierge Guild of Seattle will be working on a Parkview Services home on April 24th for Spring Rebuilding Day 2010.  Before the big day, there was some tree removal, power line clearing and hedge pruning to be accomplished at the house, so we called up Adam Guy and AG Tree Service came to the rescue!  Thank you, AG Tree Service and Concierge Guild of Seattle,  for all your hard work and your continuous generosity toward RTS!!

Clearing the power lines

Sounders vs. Crew Benefit for RTS!

Calling all fans of Rebuilding Together Seattle and Sounders FC!

Stop by the Kangaroo and Kiwi Pub to grab a drink, watch the Sounders, and support a great cause!
On Saturday, May 1st, from 7pm to 12:00 am, the Kangaroo and Kiwi Pub will donate at least 10% of all food and beverage sales to Rebuilding Together Seattle!

The Sounders and Crew face off at 7:30pm- Go Sounders!!

Shop for a Cause THIS Saturday!

This Saturday, Curtsy Bella Boutique will be donating 10% of ALL PURCHASES (10:00 am to 6:00pm) to Rebuilding Together Seattle.

Address: 2920 NE Blakeley St, Seattle, 98105

Questions? Call the RTS Office: 206.682.1231.

Thank you for your support!

Safeway Success!

The Safeway project completed on Saturday was a huge success. The homeowners were just astounded at all that was accomplished in one day.

Thank you Safeway volunteers!

Group Shot!

---more photos to come---

Radio Feature on RTS and Safeway Rebuild Day!

Komo 4 News Radio ran a story about Rebuilding Together Seattle with a highlight about tomorrow's Safeway Rebuild Day in Beacon Hill.  The story will run again a few times on Saturday, so keep your radios dialed to 97.7 and your ears alert!

AGC Safety Department to Ensure Safety of Volunteers on SRD 2010

RTS is excited to have the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Safety Department volunteering their time to ensure that volunteers stay safe at their work sites on Spring Rebuilding Day 2010. Mandi Kime, Director of Safety for AGC of Washington, is excited to be a part of her first Spring Rebuilding Day on April 24th: “I am excited to get to spend a day looking out for the safety of volunteers who are giving their time to a worthy cause!” Mandi explained, “Events like these are what makes communities great, and I am happy that Rebuilding Together Seattle is focused on the safety of its volunteers.”

The AGC of Washington works with the AGC Education Foundation who invited them to participate this year and last year. It seemed like a great idea and they had heard so many wonderful things about the team at RTS that they jumped on board! Everyone from AGC and the AGC Education Foundation that was involved last year said that the Spring Rebuilding Day event was well-coordinated, fun, and inspirational. “The mission of RTS is one that resonates with me as a way to give back to people in a meaningful, dignified manner and create lasting improvements to their quality of life,” Mandi emphasized.

The main causes of injuries on work sites are attributed to falls, electricity, getting struck by objects, and getting caught between moving and stationary objects. Many injuries also occur due to the constant change of the work site itself. Mandi’s biggest tip to ensure the safety of the volunteers on SRD 2010 is that “everyone be very diligent in protecting themselves and others on these sites and take safety seriously so that every volunteer gets to go home in as good of shape or better than when they arrived!”

On SRD 2010, the AGC Safety Department will be focusing on making sure all volunteers stay safe while working on their sites. Two main tasks of the Safety Department volunteers will be to do a safety briefing about the hazards of construction with everyone on the sites they are assigned to and to provide safety audits for the sites. During the periodic audits, they will be looking for not only physical hazards and remedying them, but also for unsafe behaviors and helping to make the volunteers aware of any issues.

When not focusing on safety at their sites, the volunteers from the AGC Safety Department will be chipping in with their fair share of work!

Save The Date: SRD 2010 AFTER PARTY!!

On April 24th, Rebuilding Together Seattle will complete its 20th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day! We hope you will join us in celebrating 20 years and Spring Rebuilding Day 2010!

We invite all volunteers from the SRD 2010 project sites to join the RTS Staff and Board for a fun time at the Nickerson Street Saloon! (http://www.nickersonstreetsaloon.net/)

Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010

Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Address: 318 Nickerson St, Seattle

Details: we will have the outdoor patio and back area of the bar reserved for RTS volunteers only! Food and drink specials will be provided! Please stay tuned for more updates.

Let's Celebrate 20 Years!!

 

Contact: Sarah Ihrie: sihrie@rtseattle.org

RTS in April Seniors Digest!

RTS sends a special thanks to Seniors Digest for featuring RTS in their April issue!

Please visit Seniors Digest to read about our 20 Years of service provided to Seattle homeowners in need!