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!