RTS & Seattle Bank to launch holiday supply drive!

Rebuilding Together Seattle (www.rtseattle.org) and Seattle Bank (www.seattlebank.com) will soon be teaming up to raise supplies for Rebuilding Together Seattle’s supply boxes this holiday season. Supplies donated to the Rebuilding Together Seattle & Seattle Bank Holiday Supply Drive will be dropped off at Seattle Bank locations and taken to the Rebuilding Together Seattle warehouse and used for future volunteer projects, including the 21st Annual Spring Rebuilding Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

SUPPLY DRIVE WISH LIST

• First aid kit
• Smoke detectors
• Latex gloves
• Grab bars
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles
• Masks
• All-purpose cleaner
• Windex/window cleaner
• Comet
• Glass cleaner
• Oven cleaner
• Garbage bags
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Sponges
• Light bulbs

Stay tuned for further announcements!

A Letter From a Homeowner

Check out the improvements made at Lawrence and Helen's home!

RTS Energizer: Deb Alberts, The Home Depot

Project leaders Anne Quigg (RTS Board Member) and James Croft (The Home Depot) selected Deb Alberts as the RTS Energizer at their site.  The group helped veteran, Earl, clean up his yard in a big way!

Deb spent hours coordinating the products for the event and attended all three site visits to help with planning and removing cars.

"She was a vital player in the success of the event," James said.   "It wouldn't have been the same without her help!"

Great Work Deb!!!

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

Lowe's + Rebuilding Together Seattle = Success!

On November 6th, RTS volunteers made a big impact on a couple in Burien, utilizing an energy efficiency grant from Lowe's.  Reverend John and his wife Verna, both veterans, were in great need of weatherization in their home before the winter months set in. Project Leaders Anne Timmermans and Berit Tomten (with some help from Kelly Lems) coordinated to have insulation added to the entire attic space, a new water heater installed along with insulated pipes, a new door, and window improvements.  They also added grab bars and a new faucet to the bathroom.  On the job were James and Cody from Advanced Plumbing Solutions, and John Angle from Sound Home Performance.

Great Work Team!!!

Rebuilding Together Named Charity of Choice by HGTV and DIY Network

Multi-Million Dollar Donation Includes Cash and Media Exposure
LAS VEGAS - - NOVEMBER 15, 2010 -

Rebuilding Together today announced a three-year commitment from Scripps Networks as charity of choice for HGTV and DIY Network. As Rebuilding Together's television media partners, the networks made a $1 million cash donation as well as a commitment to provide $15 million dollars in marketing support and media exposure for the organization's activities.

HGTV and DIY Network will work together to engage viewers in Rebuilding Together's mission to serve 800,000 low-income Americans each year. The organization's efforts include 10,000 projects annually to rehabilitate and provide critical repairs to homes as well as energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to homeowners. Additional details about the partnership are available at www.rebuildingtogether.org.

The new commitment comes as Rebuilding Together and HGTV wrap up Change the World. Start at Home, a three year community revitalization initiative that mobilized local volunteers, organized building projects and honored community heroes. During the campaign, the network also aired television specials that featured renovations for veteran's group homes and for homeowners in need.

"Rebuilding Together's mission critical work has been brought to the attention of millions of viewers by HGTV over the years," said Gary A. Officer, President & CEO, Rebuilding Together. "HGTV and DIY Network will allow us to increase our momentum to help America's low-income homeowners".

In August, HGTV was the official media partner of Rebuilding Together's Fifty for Five, a mass-volunteer gathering in which fifty hurricane damaged homes were restored in New Orleans' Gentilly neighborhood. HGTV promoted the event to audiences through a PSA campaign that featured actor Morgan Freeman. In addition, the network's popular home improvement experts Carter Oosterhouse and Scott McGillivray, along with DIY Network's Chris Grundy, volunteered at the event.

About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, aging in place and gulf coast reconstruction. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. You can also follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether . Becky Carter, Rebuilding Together/202-518-3500 office/ bcarter@rebuildingtogether.org.

About HGTV
HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 99 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV's website, HGTV.com, is the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination and attracts an average of 5 million unique visitors per month. Amy Hammontree, HGTV/865-560-4639 office/ahammontree@hgtv.com.

About DIY Network
DIY Network, from the makers of HGTV and Food Network, is the go-to destination for rip-up, knock-out home improvement television. DIY Network's programs and experts answer the most sought-after questions and offer creative projects for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. One of the fastest growing digital networks and currently in more than 53 million homes, DIY Network's programming covers a broad range of categories, including home improvement and landscaping. The network's award-winning website, www.DIYnetwork.com, is a leader in the Nielsen Online Home and Garden category and features multiple resources, including thousands of do-it-yourself home improvement projects, expert advice, how-to videos and images, and user-friendly reference guides with step-by-step instructions. Brandii Toby, DIY Network/865-565-4280/btoby@diynetwork.com.



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RTS Energizer: Leon Gomez, The Home Depot

The RTS Energizer Award for an outstanding volunteer at the Veteran Rebuilding Day site where The Home Depot employees were helping homeowner Lawrence with numerous repairs to his home goes to Leon Gomez from the Tacoma Home Depot Store.

"Leon played an instrumental role in the organization and implementation of this very complicated project," said The Home Depot Project Manager, Jim Dignam. "Leon pre-walked the job, helped determine what could and could not be done, as well as lead the crews on the day (days) of the event," Jim explained. "Due to the amount of work that was requested (all new flooring, all new cabinets, new countertops and sinks, new paint, ramps, work spaces, drywall repairs, grab bars, vanity and fixtures) as well as the unforeseen problems (faulty foundations and rotten sub-flooring) Leon was on thejob for 4 days."

"Leon's leadership, work ethic and commitment to this project (under trying condition) was spectacular!!"

Project Leader, John Hanks, also nominated Leon for the RTS Energizer award.  "Leon has exhibited much dedication in his work on this project.  He has done everything from previewing the house to procuring materials and pre-fabricating the ramp to going back to finish the cabinets after the event," John said.

Leon, dealing with an unexpected foundation situation,

discovered after ripping up the carpet...

Way to go Leon!! Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm. 

To make a donation to RTS in Leon's honor, please click here to visit our donation website. 

Home Depot Makeover on Veterans Rebuilding Day!

Lawrence and Helen's home recieved an incredible makeover from a team of over 30 volunteers from Home Depot.  On Thursday, November 4th, RTS and Home Depot Foundation partnered for the first Veterans Rebuilding Day.  Here are photos of the incredible transformation made possible by the hard working and enthusiastic volunteers from Home Depot:

Kitchen before:

Kitchen during:

Kitchen after (!!!!):

 Bathroom before:

Bathroom during:

Bathroom after:

Front yard before:

Front yard after:

Entry to garage before (where Lawrence does his dialysis):

 And even earlier before clearing everything away:

Ramp afterward!:

 Storage built in the garage:

Living room before:

Living room during...



Living room after:

GREAT WORK HOME DEPOT VOLUNTEERS!!!!



Shout Out: Advanced Plumbing Solutions, LLC

James Hansen of Advanced Plumbing Solutions, LLC and his associate, Cody, donated their time and plumbing skills on Saturday, November 6th in Burien to help veterans John and Verna.  They repaired the homeowner's plumbing, installed a new water heater, and insulated the pipes. 

Thank you Jim and Cody! 

Looking for a plumber?? Contact James!!

Advanced Plumbing Solutions, LLC
James Hansen- owner
32121 46th Pl SW Unit 0-7
Federal Way, WA 98023
C: 206-730-2865
F: 253-517-9844

Thank You Pizza Donors!

Last Thursday, November 4th, Rebuilding Together Seattle and The Home Depot Foundation partnered for the first Veterans Rebuilding Day.  Teams of volunteers from Home Depot made home repairs at veterans' homes throughout Seattle.  Lunch for the volunteers was donated by the following generous pizza places in the veteran's neighborhoods: Garlic Jim's of Edmonds and Pizza Gallery in Burien.

THANK YOU!!

The Home Depot Volunteers Busy at Work!

TODAY is Rebuilding Together Seattle's first official Veterans Rebuilding Day, made possible by the Home Depot Foundation. Volunteers from The Home Depot and RTS are currently finishing three projects, honoring Earl, Henry, and Lawrence, our three Veterans in need!

RTS thanks all our volunteers for their efforts today. Thank you for your support!

Over 100 Volunteers to Restore Veterans’ Homes in Seattle

Mike Gregoire (First Gentleman) and John Lee (Director of the Washington St. Department of Veterans Affairs) to lend a hand

SEATTLE - On Thursday, November 4th from 8 am to 3 pm, approximately 100 volunteers from Rebuilding Together Seattle and The Home Depot will work to clean, rebuild and repair the homes of three veterans in Seattle, in early recognition of Veterans Day. Home improvements will include new flooring, new kitchen appliances, cleaning, yard work, safety improvements, and more made possible from a $25,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation.

Approximately 40 volunteers from local area Home Depot stores will assist Lawrence, a Vietnam War veteran living in Beacon Hill at 7301 48th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118; close to 30 will assist Henry, a Vietnam War veteran living in White Center at 12434 Ambaum Blvd SW C214, Seattle, WA 98146; and more than 10 will assist Earl, a Korean War veteran at 19516 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177.

Volunteers will also include First Gentleman Mike Gregoire and Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director, John Lee. In an effort to help others live independently in warmth and safety, Rebuilding Together Seattle focuses on providing low-income homes and non-profit facilities with critical repairs, modifications and energy-efficient upgrades at no cost to the individuals served.

“With more than 1,700 associates currently serving our country on Military Leave of Absence, support for our troops is something The Home Depot takes personally,” said Sherry Caraway, Community Affairs Manager. “That’s why The Home Depot is dedicated to supporting and honoring our men and women in uniform and their families through our business practices and volunteer donations.”

For more information on the Veterans Rebuilding Day and site locations, please call 206-682-1231 or 206-992-5512.

About The Home Depot Foundation
Created in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating and preserving healthy, affordable homes as the cornerstone of sustainable communities. The Foundation’s goal is for all families to have the opportunity to live in healthy, efficient homes they can afford over the long-term; to have access to safe, vibrant parks and greenspaces; and to receive the economic, social and environmental benefits of living in a sustainable community. Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $190 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 95,000 homes, planted more than 1.2 million trees, and built or refurbished more than 1875 playgrounds, parks and greenspaces. For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.

About Rebuilding Together Seattle
Rebuilding Together Seattle was established in 1989 and is part of the national Rebuilding Together organization with over 200 affiliates in 50 states. We are a volunteer, charitable group that repairs homes and non-profit facilities at no cost to the individuals served. RTS serves low-income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, families with children, and veterans in need. For more information, please visit www.rtseattle.org.

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Contact: Margie Thirlby, Rebuilding Together Seattle (206) 992-5512, mthirlby@rtseattle.org or Kathryn Gallagher, The Home Depot, (949) 887-2268, kathryn_gallagher@homedepot.com

SEARS Heroes At Home Rebuilding Day

20 volunteers, including students from the ROTC program at the University of Washington and several members of the Coast Guard, arrived at John's house to help him with needed home repairs.  John is a Vietnam War veteran and was unable to complete the repairs on his own. 

The project was sponsored by SEARS Heroes at Home program that focuses on helping veterans in need with donated repair services.

Volunteers painted, replaced John's stove, washer and dryer, and refigerator, re-framed his garage door, repaired his steps, and completed lots of yard work.

Thank you SEARS and volunteers!