Thank you, Annual Giving Campaign donors!

As 2012 comes to a close, Rebuilding Together Seattle has a lot to be thankful for.  This month we are especially thankful for all of our individual donors who have made generous donations to this year's Annual Giving Campaign.  These donations are critical to supporting our programs year round, including our Safe at Home Program, which will provide at least 40 families with critical home repairs this fiscal year.  Thank you for making a difference! 

THANK YOU, ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN DONORS (2012-2013):

Alan Newstead

Amy and Bill Ferron

Amy Plumb (in honor of Jeremy Taylor)

Anonymous (in honor of Val Gorder)

Arnie and Katie Mondloch

Bettina Fletcher (in honor of Tim Brincefield)

Charlie and Becky Johnson

Charlie and Mikal Foushee

Dan and Lisa Gemme

David and Lisa Helber

David and Lisa McQueen

Gary and Angie Ballas

Gayle Roberts

Gemma Borg

George and Joanne White

Illis and Daryl Burke

Jacklin Foushee

Jean and Patrick Corr

Jim Robenalt

Joan Pratt and Lynne Berry

Jocelyn Minier

John Lell

Julia Schwab

Kathleen Kennedy

Magnuson Lowell, P.S.

Margie Thirlby

Mary and Mark Preuss

Mary and Tom Herche

Mary Jo Dedomenico

Mary Rademaker

Michael and Sandra Gorman

Monte and Nan Szendre

Nolan and Alicia Bradbury

Paul and Deborah Slatt

Pete and Karen Wickstrand

Randy and Amanda Rademaker

Renee and Josh Hartnett

Richard Johnson

Russ and Nancy Schultz

Sarah and Joel Ihrie

Scott Taylor and Jane Gross

Tim and Betsy Lane

Tom and Mary Herche

Tracey and Elizabeth Steig

Val and Greg Gorder

JOIN OTHERS IN ANNUAL GIVING AT RTS!

It's not too late to give!  Our Annual Giving Campaign goes through the end of this fiscal year (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013).  Make a quick donation online today to end the tax year on a great note!  You can also mail a check (made out to "Rebuilding Together Seattle" to 811 Harrison St, Seattle WA 98109.

Thank you, Van Ness Feldman Gordon Derr donors!

In November, Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr law firm launched a special campaign with Rebuilding Together Seattle (RTS), asking their community to make donations to RTS that would all be matched by their firm (up to $250.00) to support the RTS mission.

To date, members of the Van Ness Feldman community (along with the RTS Staff and Board) have contributed $9,225.00 to RTS!  After the donations are matched, RTS will receive over $17,000 to help homeowners on our waiting list in need of essential home repairs.

Rebuilding Together Seattle sends a BIG thanks to all of our holiday match campaign donors for their support.  We also thank Van Ness Feldman for their incredible generosity to our organization.  In the Spring 2013, Van Ness Feldman Gordon Derr volunteers will utilize some of the funding to complete their first rebuilding day project with RTS to  help a deserving homeowner in need.  A win win for all!

THANK YOU, DONORS!

Ann Bailey

Gary and Angie Ballas

Mary and Greg Blazek

Nolan and Alicia Bradbury

Bruce Brandsness

Julie Brandsness and Rick Griese

Linda Brown

Peter L. Buck

Bucklin/Evens PLLC (c/o Kerry Bucklin)

Nancy Cahill

Brent Carson

Clothier & Head P.S.

Stew Cogan and Nona Hasegawa

Michelle Connor and Mark Levensky

Lori Cora

Jay and Gaynelle Derr

Kati Dunn

Peter Erickson

Mary Fairhurst

Alix Foster

Marjorie Frost

Tom Frye

Dan and Lisa Gemme

G-Logics, Inc

Adam Gravley

Mary Hotchkiss

Nancy Hovis and Janine Johnson

Sarah and Joel Ihrie

Cristina Jorgenson

Ariane and Darren Justus

KBA, Inc. c/o Kris Betty

Lyn Keenan

John Koreny

Christopher Libby

Livengood Fitzgerald & Alskog, PLLC

Bo McFadden and Sharon Davidoff

Patricia McShea

Arnie Mondloch

Mundy Jo Holdings

Laureen Nicolay

Offices of Sharon Rice, Hearing Examinder, PLLC

Steve Parkinson

Sandra Lynn Perkins and Jeffrey Karl Ochsner

Plauche & Carr LLP

Kenneth Raedeke

Gayle Roberts

Schacht Aslani Architects

Russ and Nancy Schultz

Sabina Shapiro

Susan Shyne and Kirk Dawson

Susan Skillman and Philip Fenner

John and Shannon Stokke

Lorraine Taki

Margie Thirlby

Arthur Wahl

Thomas T. White Jr.

To learn more about how your company can support Rebuilding Together Seattle through your own matching campaign, please email mthirlby@rtseattle.org.

Program Partner Highlights: GLY, Urban Steelworks, Cascade Pest Control, Seattle Bathtub Guy, & OutToday!

RTS Program Partner Highlights!

 Look out for this new monthly feature where we highlight program partners (in kind donors, outreach contacts, etc) that have gone above and beyond to help us meet our mission! 

This month would like to give a shout out to a few companies who have been so generous to donate their services to help us provide more home repairs to low-income homeowners! These companies include GLY Construction, Urban Steelworks, Cascade Pest Control,  Seattle Bathtub Guy, and OutToday Plumbing. We could not be more grateful for the time and effort they have spent helping to repair the homes of many deserving Seattle homeowners.

Urban Steelworks

Thanks again to these extraordinary companies!

RTS Energizers: Joel and Jose, YPS Rebuilding Day

On Dec 8th, the RTS Young Professional Society worked on the home of a family living in Mountlake Terrace (with help from a Lowe's grant). Project Leader, Anne Timmermans, had a tough time choosing an RTS Energizer among all the great volunteers that day, especially considering the weather.  Anne's initial response to choosing an Energizer was "Besides everyone who stayed out in the rain????"

In the end, Anne decided that the award should go to a pair of new volunteers- Joel and Jose! According to Anne, "they were willing to do whatever and jumped right in during the rainstorm. They also had GREAT attitudes!" Plus, YPS needed a truck to pick up a stove for the family the following week and Joel graciously offered up his truck for the service. We hope they'll continue volunteering with us in the future!!

Joel (far left) and Jose (far right)

Congrats, Joel and Jose! 

Thanks for a great first project.

RTS Energizer: Bob Bynum, GLY Foreman

 
On Nov 30th, Rebuilding Together Seattle partnered with Lowe's, GLY Construction, and NAIOP to repair Lynda's home. The winner of the RTS Energzier Award goes to Bob Bynum of GLY Construction!

About Bob:

"A carpenter’s carpenter, Bob has a passion for building and is unrelenting in his pursuit of always doing things the right way (you can say he’s a little old school in that regard). Fueled by a quick wit and a steady infusion of Dr. Pepper, Bob is an invaluable member of the GLY team and always keeps things interesting. A complicated project is no match for Bob’s tireless work ethic and attention to detail." (written by Brad Kilcup, Project Leader)

Bob working hard at Lynda's house

Thanks, Bob!

The RTS Young Professionals Society helps out family in Mountlake Terrace!

Lowe's Energy Efficiency Grant, House #3:

On Saturday, volunteers from the RTS Young Professionals Society (YPS) spent the rainy afternoon helping out a family of five living in Mountlake Terrace. Homeowners, Val and Ryan live with their 9 year old son, Kayden, and Ryan's parents, Debbie and Rick. Volunteers replaced single pane windows, installed a new sliding door, performed interior and exterior weatherization and caulking, replaced old light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs, and installed a new oven and stove.

This project was the last of three projects funded by a Lowe's energy efficiency grant that was awarded to RTS earlier this fall.

Great work, YPS!

YPS braves the rain

Getting rid of moss

RTS Board Member, Gayle Roberts, helping out

Homeowners, Val & Ryan

All smiles

Post service day brunch

And a big thank you to Lowe's for making this project possible!

Volunteers of the Month: Anne Timmermans & Michelle Holst

Anne & Michelle

This month we'd like to feature the amazing volunteer duo, Anne and Michelle! Our staff decided to feature these great volunteers for their leadership in planning one of the 3 house projects made possible through the Lowe's Energy Efficiency grant this fall.  As YPS President (Michelle) and YPS Service Chair (Anne), the duo took it upon themselves to turn the Lowe's project into an opportunity for the Young Professionals Society to do an additional service day. The project is scheduled for this Saturday, December 8th where YPS volunteers will be doing weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades and repairs for a family's home in Mountlake Terrace. Anne and Michelle have worked very hard to bring this project to fruition! Thanks, ladies!

Let's get to know Anne & Michelle:

How did you get involved with RTS?

Anne: About 3 years ago Gayle Roberts (Board of Directors) came to speak about RTS in one of the graduate construction classes I was in. There was an upcoming RTS & Sounders project at a high school, and my friend and I signed up.
Michelle: During high school I volunteered on a Rebuilding Together project (Christmas in April) and enjoyed the experience so much that I sought out RTS after I graduated from college.  With a quick email, I was in and helping out at the YPS quarterly service projects.

What do you enjoy most about working with our organization?

Anne: It's insanely rewarding on all levels. It's rewarding to do things for well-deserving homeowners, it's rewarding to work with great volunteers, and it's rewarding to have such great RTS staff.
Michelle: I love the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a service day. Spending the day surrounded by such a fun group of fellow YPS and RTS volunteers and getting to meet and help out deserving homeowners makes me very happy.

What do other volunteers say about RTS? 

Anne: That we are awesome.
Michelle: Lots of volunteers I've talked to after service projects are uplifted by the day's work. The most common thing I hear is, "When are we doing this again?!".

Why do they want to volunteer their time?

Anne: Because we are awesome.
Michelle: If they're anything like me, I'd imagine they are drawn to the experience. There's a big difference between donating money and donating your time. By doing some yard work, painting, construction or maintenance, you may learn something new AND you see the physical difference that you and your crew have made in real time. Plus, the volunteers are top notch people! Who could pass that up?

What about RTS' mission are you most drawn to?

Anne: Helping out well deserving homeowners who never thought they be in a situation where they needed help.
Michelle: Helping others live in warmth, safety, and independence. Everyone deserves these basic humane qualities of life and I feel honored to lend a hand up to those in my community who need it most.

{Check back in on Monday for updates on Saturday's project!}

Way to go, Anne & Michelle!

Rainier Beach senior receives help from Lowe's, GLY Construction, and NAIOP!

Lowe's Energy Efficiency Grant, House #2:

This past Friday, November 30, volunteers from GLY Construction and the Washington State chapter of NAIOP worked to restore Lynda's home, an elderly and disabled resident living in Rainier Beach. Volunteers installed handrails at the entryway stairs, installed new linoleum kitchen flooring, replaced the toilet, provided weatherstripping and a lock set at the west entryway, fixed a plumbing leak, replaced windows, and installed an energy efficient refrigerator!

Lynda and some of the volunteers

Brook and Brad (Project Leader)- DEMOLITION!

Teamwork!

Kitchen floor (BEFORE)

Kitchen floor (AFTER)

Building new steps

Working on the toilet

Post demo and reconstruction of back porch!

*Photos by Laurie Ascanio, GLY Construction*

Thank you Lowe's, GLY Construction, and NAIOP for making this possible!

Youth Program Spotlight: Sophia & Selina!

Two of our Youth Program members have gone above and beyond volunteering in October and November!  Both Sophia and Selina began volunteering at RTS right after the interest meeting in October and they have been consistent and hardworking.

Sophia is a student at Holy Names and volunteers in two different capacities at RTS.  Every week, Sophia helps with client outreach for 2 hours.  She calls different organizations around Seattle and tells them about our programs.  Soon, she is planning on visiting a few food banks in person to share more about the services we offer.  Sophia is also a member of the Youth Program's first project planning team.  Sophia and two other students have begun the process of selecting a house project to complete with Youth Program volunteers!

Selina is a student at Holy Names as well and spends 2 hours a week making sure our warehouse is clean and organized!  She has also helped with various projects around the office, including prepping for our Annual Appeal Campaign.  The RTS Staff has really enjoyed getting to know these two volunteers and we greatly appreciate everything they've done to help RTS run smoothly.

Sophia

Selina

Thank you Sophia & Selina! You girls rock!

Rebuilding Together to partner with Crate and Barrel

Celebrate Rebuilding Together's New Partnership with Crate and Barrel

On December 7, join Crate & Barrel in celebrating their brand's 50th Anniversary and highlighting their partnership with Rebuilding Together in stores nationwide. Crate & Barrel staffers will be in bright green, co-branded t-shirts. The Rebuilding Together brand will be featured in the Crate & Barrel holiday catalog sent to four million people. They will donate $5 from every online and in-store purchase, up to $250,000, to support national rebuilding efforts. Affiliate leaders, staff members and volunteers are encouraged to visit your local Crate & Barrel store.  We encourage you to stop by, say hello and congratulate your local Crate & Barrel store manager on 50 years and thank them for their generous support of this new relationship. Let them know about your affiliate's impact in your community and wear your Rebuilding Together gear too!  Share your Crate & Barrel experience through social media. Take a picture of yourself in Crate & Barrel, friend them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or simply post a status thanking them for their support. You can find your local Crate & Barrel here. If you have further questions please contact Becky Carter.

Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr selects Rebuilding Together Seattle as recipient of firm's 2012 Thanksgiving match program

Last month, Rebuilding Together Seattle (RTS) was contacted by Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr Law Firm (Seattle) with incredible news - RTS was chosen as the firm's recipient of their 2012 Thanksgiving match program!

After sending a customized holiday card to their community, Van Ness Feldman committed to matching all donations up to $250.00 from each of their contacts.   During the first two weeks of the campaign, Rebuilding Together Seattle has already received $2,350.00 worth of contributions from 15 individuals and businesses within the Van Ness Feldman Community!

"Our organization cannot me more grateful or excited for this special fundraising opportunity," said Margie Thirlby, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Seattle.  "Not only is it incredibly generous of Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr and their community to support us financially, but in selecting us as the recipient of their match program, they are introducing countless individuals and companies to RTS who can become further engaged with our programs."

RTS sends a big thanks to Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr for their generosity to our organization, and for their support of our vision of a safe and healthy home for every person.  RTS also sends a special thanks to Julie Brandsness, Jay Derr, and Matt de Ferranti (Rebuilding Together National) for their helping in making the event possible.

Stay tuned for future announcements of our fundraising totals, including recognition of the participating donors!

About Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr:
Founded in 1977 and now with over 100 professionals in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, WA, Van Ness Feldman provides strategic business advice, legislative and policy advocacy, legal and regulatory compliance counsel, representation in administrative proceedings and litigation, and support for project development, permitting, and transactions in the inter-related areas of energy, the environment, natural resources, public lands, real estate, health care, land use, and infrastructure.
Read more at: http://www.vnf.com/firm.html

Introducing an Exciting New Partnership with King County EMS!

Rebuilding Together Seattle is kicking off a brand new partnership with King County Emergency Medical Services' One Step Ahead Program!

King County EMS One Step Ahead Program installs grab bars for elderly homeowners who have fallen in their homes or who are at high risk of falling. The program obtains data from individuals who fell and called 911, which qualifies them for grab bar installation. We will team up with them by having two dedicated volunteers, Erika Maxx and James Fessler, install a small number of grab bars each month for qualified residents between South Shoreline and Tukwila.

We cannot wait to collaborate with King County Emergency Medical Services! With their partnership, RTS will create safer home environments for elderly Seattle residents and allow them to live in increased independence.

To learn more about Rebuilding Together Seattle, please visit our website at www.rtseattle.org.  You can learn more about the One Step Ahead Program, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ems/community/OneStepAhead.aspx.  

RTS is able to repair three homes with the help of a Lowe's grant!

RTS recently received a $8,000 Energy Efficiency Grant from Lowe's to allow us to repair more Seattle-area homes. The money from this generous grant is to be divided among three home repair projects that emphasize energy efficiency to provide warm and safe places for homeowners to live!

First, BelRed Energy Solutions generously replaced the motor of local homeowner DeeDee's furnace. DeeDee is 81 years old and lives on her own in her Kenmore area home. Physical limitations due to age kept her from performing the repairs on her own, but with the finances from the Lowe's grant and the donation of labor from BelRed, DeeDee will be able to live in warmth and comfort with a working, energy efficient furnace.

Also, with the work of volunteers from the Washington chapter of NAIOP and the financial sponsorship of Lowe's, RTS will perform multiple safety-based repairs on Rainier Beach area resident Lynda's home. Lynda is an elderly woman who lives in her Rainier View area home on her own.  She suffered a stroke in 2010, which left her with only limited use of her left leg and arm and mild dementia. Due to Lynda's physical and financial limitations, she is unable to perform the repairs she needs on her own. On Friday, November 30th, the volunteers will be installing handrails at the entryway stairs, installing new linoleum flooring in the kitchen, replacing a toilet, providing weather stripping and a lock set at the west entryway, fixing a plumbing leak, replacing single pane windows with dual pane ones, and installing a new, energy efficient refrigerator.

This is the first time RTS will be collaborating with NAIOP, and we could not be more grateful for their partnership!

The final project the grant will be used for is the RTS Young Professionals Society (YPS) Service Day on Saturday, December 8th! For this project, YPS volunteers will be doing weatherization and energy efficiency-based repairs on the home of a family in Mountlake Terrace. Val and Ryan live with their 9 year old son, Kayden, and Ryan's parents, Debbie and Rick. Financial limitations have left them with little resources to do the necessary repairs on their own, but with the help of YPS and the Lowe's grant, their home will be a safe and comfortable place for this family to live. Volunteers will be replacing single pane windows, installing a new sliding door, performing interior and exterior weatherization and caulking, installing energy efficient light bulbs, and installing a new oven and stove.

To learn more about or get involved with the Young Professionals Society, visit http://rtseattle.org/yps.php.

Thank you, Lowe's, BelRed, NAIOP and YPS for helping to provide home repairs to these deserving homeowners! These homeowners will now live in more warmth, safety, and independence than they would otherwise be able to.

Veterans Work Through Wind & Rain to Build Ramp for Widow of Vet

This past Saturday, 5 volunteers turned out, bearing the wind and rain, to build a ramp and install grab bars for a 92 year-old widow of a WWII veteran. 3 of these volunteers were veterans themselves, which was very special to the homeowner, Elna.  Check out the article written about the project in the Mountlake Terrace News on Saturday!
         

Wes and Joshua talking to Elna about placing her grab bars

Wes & Doug installing the bar

Elna being interviewed by Teresa from Mountlake Terrace News Online

Stages of the ramp

RTS AmeriCorps Member, Jeni, getting in on the action

Elna stays dry and watches the volunteers from inside her home

Elna and her granddaughter, Sherri were very excited and grateful for the help they got from RTS!

Thanks volunteers!