RTS Energizer: Anne Ducey, Seattle City Light (SRD 2013)

This Spring Rebuilding Day, volunteers from Seattle City Light helped disabled homeowner, Victoria, and her family with critical home repairs. Project Managers, Danielle Bricker and John Gustafson, chose Anne Ducey as the RTS Energizer!



Anne (center) with the entire yard crew!

"Anne Ducey is our "Energizer" on this years RTS Project! This is Anne's second year as a Team Leader on the yard crew. She is such an enthusiastic Team member, her smile and energy are contagious. Even after her official 'retirement' from City Light this past year- Anne came back to RTS to make a difference in the life of Victoria and her family. She tackles these tough projects with valuable insight, as one of her favorite past times is working in her own yard at home and is a member of Master Gardner's Association.

This year Anne tackled mountains of blackberries vines, piles of debris, mounds of bricks and loads of soil to create lovely flower beds and a useable outdoor living space for the family, as well as made the surroundings of the home a safer, cleaner place for children to grow up.

Cheers to you, Anne Ducey! And thank you for being the 'Energizer" for our Rebuilding Together Seattle team this year!" (written by Project Manager, Danielle Bricker)

Anne showing Victoria the backyard during the big reveal at the end of the day

 

Thank you, Anne!

RTS Energizer: Matthew Weeks, Young Professionals Society (SRD 2013)

This year the RTS Young Professionals Society (YPS) took on their first Spring Rebuilding Day house project! Volunteers helped elderly homeowner, Antonia, in North Beacon Hill. Everyone contributed a lot that day but Project Leaders, Richard Petrone and Michelle Holst, chose Matthew Weeks to receive the RTS Energizer award!

Matthew (left) working hard!

About Matthew:

"Richard and I think Matthew Weeks deserves the Energizer title - He attacked the ivy in the front yard and dominated it. He never complained and kept morale high with his jokes and dedication to the task at hand. Such a hard worker!" (written by Project Leader and YPS President, Michelle Holst)

Great work, Matthew!



RTS Energizer: Carl Ueland, Gonzaga (SRD 2013)

This year volunteers from the Gonzaga Alumni Association helped disabled homeowner, Diane, in Loyal Heights. Arnie Mondloch and Brooke Sullivan (Project Leaders and RTS Board Members) chose Carl Ueland as the RTS Energizer!



Carl hard at work, as always!

About Carl:

"Carl is a dedicated volunteer to RTS and the Gonzaga project, as he has not only participated in the annual SRD projects Gonzaga sponsors, he also is an RTS Safe At Home volunteer. For this year’s project, Carl took point for all of the handy-man tasks, including installing new interior and exterior light fixtures and a kitchen fan, among other tasks. As usual with these types of tasks, finding parts that fit the location was a challenge – and even required Carl to spend time researching, finding and ordering a part online! However, Carl really stepped up when it became clear that the wheelchair ramp would not be able to be completed on SRD Saturday. Without hesitation, Carl volunteered to return to the site the following day and even recruited a friend to come help. While significant progress was made, the ramp was still not completed as the sun set Sunday, so Carl volunteered again to return to the site the following Saturday and with Carl’s energetic push, the ramp was completed." (written by Project Manager, Arnie Mondloch) 

Fantastic job, Carl!

RTS Energizer: Linda Brown, Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr (SRD 2013)

Top sponsor group, Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr, helped Albert and his 8 year old grandson in the Central District. Volunteer Coordinator, Julie Brandsness, chose Linda Brown as the RTS Energizer!

Linda attacking the wallpaper!

About Linda:

"I would like to nominate Linda Brown as the Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr Energizer. While it’s difficult to single out one person (as we had so many team members who worked hard and were instrumental in providing Albert with a new sense of resolve), Linda took on the challenging project of removing the “fuzzy” wallpaper from the front room. This wallpaper had been on the walls for so long that it had to be hand removed one scrape at a time. Linda had identified ahead of time that she wanted to work on the wallpaper removal project, not knowing how difficult the task was going to be. It took a lot of determination and muscle power to wrestle that paper off the walls. Linda worked extremely hard and stuck with it for the entire day. She was covered in wallpaper dust from head to toe by the end, but was extremely proud of accomplishing this task that Albert had wanted done for so many years. Way to go Linda Brown of Van Ness Feldman GordonDerr!" (written by Volunteer Coordinator, Julie Brandsness)

Great work, Linda!



RTS Energizer: Ryan Hunter, WSGR (SRD 2013)

 

This Spring Rebuilding Day, WSGR completed many repairs for residents living in a group home in Greenwood. Project Leader Patti Lane nominated Ryan Hunter as this year's Energizer.

Ryan (left) spent most of the day putting in the new walk-in shower

 

About Ryan:

 

"Ryan took an active role early in the project by working with Rosen Plumbing Supply to secure a donated ADA shower and trim. In addition, Ryan worked prior to the rebuild day on determining a plan for the fencing. When it came to the rebuild day, Ryan was one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. His work in helping Kelly with the shower project was instrumental in increasing the usability of the facility for the house residents. The plumbing project included demolition and removal of a 350# cast iron tub, demolition of the existing wall finishes, alterations to the drain assembly for adaptation to the ADA walk in shower, installation of new water feeds and assembly of new fiberfab shower surround. When the plumbing was on hold for a parts run, Ryan jumped in on the fence project and dug up and removed galvanized steel posts buried in the earth with a significant amount of concrete on the bases. Ryan helped set a tone for the rebuild day with his relentless work ethic and positive attitude. Thanks Ryan." (written by Project Leader, Patti Lane)

Way to go, Ryan!

RTS Energizer: Perkins Coie (SRD 2013)

Typically, we ask our Project Managers to nominate a volunteer who went above and beyond the call of duty on a project day to feature as the "RTS Energizer!" The Project Leads, John Edwards and Lisa Miner of Perkins Coie, simply could not choose just one person. Instead of featuring an RTS Energizer, they wanted to recognize the whole group of Perkins Coie volunteers.

Volunteers with homeowner, Bernice (right)

 

 

About the Perkins Coie team:

 

"Everyone who gives their time to volunteer is going above and beyond. They all demonstrated great team spirit on that cold Saturday." (written by Volunteer Coordinator, John Edwards)

 

Thanks for all your hard work, volunteers!

 

SRD Giving Challenge Raffle Winners!

We would like to announce the winners of the 1st Annual Spring Rebuilding Day Giving Challenge raffle! RTS Staff members, Caleb and Jeni, selected two lucky winners from over 100 names.

Congratulations to Carl Ueland from the Gonzaga Alumni group who won the Microsoft Surface (wow!) and to Rusty Martin from Van Ness Feldman who won the green iPod Shuffle!

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the Giving Challenge this year. We were overwhelmed by the results and we certainly feel very lucky to have such an amazing group of supporters. 

To read more about the results of the challenge, click here! 

KeyBank volunteers help veteran homeowner in Meadowbrook

As part of KeyBank's Neighbors Make the Difference Day, over 40 volunteers from KeyBank are helping make improvements at the home of Marcia, a Navy veteran and single mother to 5-year-old twin boys living in the Meadowbrook neighborhood. 

Right now volunteers are painting kitchen cabinets, restoring a deck, and building a fence in the back yard!

Our Program Recipient, Marcia, with Project Manager, Michael Desimone

RTS sends a big thanks to KeyBank volunteers and our Project Manager, Michael Desimone (former Board President of Rebuilding Together Portland!).  Thank you for your support!

RTS Energizer: Tracy Atkinson, Foster Pepper / Goodman Real Estate (SRD 2013)

This Spring Rebuilding Day, volunteers from Foster Pepper and Goodman Real Estate teamed up for the first time to help Tamara living in Bryn Mawr. The multiple project leaders collectively chose Tracy Atkinson (Goodman Real Estate) as this year's RTS Energizer.

Tracy (left) after removing bamboo in front of the home

Tracy (left) with Tamara (homeowner) and Austin

 

About Tracy:

 

"From the initial planning meeting to day-of the event, Tracy was excited, energetic and collaborative. I have never worked with a more resourceful and organized partner – she was able to get an incredible amount of donations, not least of which was a $500 gift card to Target for Tamara. Day of, Tracy was one of the first to come, and one of the last to leave – her commitment and excitement over the transformation happening to Tamara’s home was inspirational. This project reflects Goodman’s mission of giving back to the community in a meaningful way through safe and beautiful housing in Seattle, and Tracy was an incredible ambassador from her company to that end. I truly hope to have the opportunity to work with Tracy on another RTS project in 2014." (written by Project Leader, Joanna Boisen)

Tracy with the Project Leaders (L to R: Joanna, Greg, Tracy, Dave)

 

 

Thanks for everything, Tracy!

Announcing our 2013 Photo Contest Winners!

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos to the 3rd Annual Spring Rebuilding Day Photo Contest!!

The RTS staff have voted to determine the winners for the following categories:

1. Best Action Shot

2. Best Homeowner Photo

3. Best Before & After Photo

4. Best Group Photo

5. Best Miscellaneous Photo

Drum roll, please........

Best Action Photo Winner

RTS Young Professionals Society

(submitted by Richard Petrone)

Look at the determination!

Best Homeowner Photo Winner

Wright Runstad

(Taken by Laurie Kasowski)

Homeowner, Margot, overjoyed with her Project Leaders

Best Before & After Photo Winner

RTS Young Professionals Society

(Submitted by Richard Petrone)

Before

After 

Best Group Photo

 Swinerton Builders

(Submitted by Melanie Dumadag)

The Swinerton logo in action!

Best Random/Miscellaneous/Funny Photo Winner

Greenpoint Technologies

(Taken by Chistine Hadley)

The Dream Team

Congratulations to the winners!

And now for the runners-up, because not everyone can be # 1....

Action

Greenpoint Technologies Volunteers

Greenpoint Technologies CEO getting down and dirty

Homeowner

Chay, grandson of homeowner and program recipient, Albert, in a RTS t-shirt!

Homeowner, Suzette, with Greenpoint Technologies CEO

Group 

RTS Young Professionals Society

Greenpoint Technologies

Before & After

Greenpoint Technologies - Before

Greenpoint Technologies - After

Random/ Miscellaneous/ Funny

Junk removal at Van Ness Feldman

Bean Bag Chair Explosion at Assumption Parish's site!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated.

We cannot wait to see what you guys come up with next year!

Local vet receives help from KeyBank volunteers tomorrow!

RTS is happy to announce a new partnership with KeyBank starting with their first project tomorrow! 40 volunteers from KeyBank will be helping Marcia, a single mother of twins living in Northeast Seattle.

Marcia is a Navy vet who suffered several injuries during her time in the service. In addition to injuries, Marcia suffers from medical conditions that also limit the amount of work she can do at her home. Her twin sons were born as micro-preemies, but aside from a few related health conditions, she tells us they are active and lively young boys.

The volunteers will help build a fence for safety in the backyard, complete her unfinished deck, re-paint the kitchen cabinets, and several other tasks for Marcia and her family.



Marcia is in need of a fence for safety and security

Volunteers will finish building the deck in Marcia's backyard

Stay tuned tomorrow for live project updates and photos!

RTS Energizer: Mike Grove, Honeywell (SRD 2013)

On Spring Rebuilding Day 2013, volunteers from Honeywell helped residents at a group home by doing some much needed repairs. Project Manager and RTS Board President, Russ Schultz, nominated Mike Grove as the recipient of the RTS Energizer Award.

 

Mike (wearing the tan hat)

 About Mike:

"Mike worked tirelessly from 8:00am to 8:15pm leading up the kitchen improvement project. As part of this project he led the team to put in a new dishwasher, new sink base cabinet, new sink & faucet as well as all new counters. Not only did he accomplish all of this in one very long day but he did a very high quality job and made it a fun environment for the team. Mike’s talent and demeanor all contributed to a job well done. For this reason Mike is very deserving of receiving the RTS Energizer Award. (It was not easy to find a good shot of Mike as he was always deeply engrossed working on something)." (written by Project Manager, Russ Schultz)

The fruits of Mike's labor:

 

Before

After

Well done, Mike!

RTS Energizer: Arnie Marcus, Center for Spiritual Living (SRD 2013)

As part of Spring Rebuilding Day 2013, one of our top sponsors, Center for Spiritual Living, completed two projects with over 80 volunteers. Project Manager, Tim Brincefield, chose Ms. Arnie Marcus as their RTS Energizer!

About Arnie:
 
"The Center for Spiritual Living’s 2013 Energizer is Ms. Arnie Marcus, a joy and inspiration who’s been fueling our participation for 17 years with her boundless love, energy and enthusiasm.  Arnie ALWAYS has a smile on her face and is a source of joy, love, and inspiration to us all, whether she’s driving a 5 ton dump truck, wielding a pickaxe to clear dirt and sod and otherwise helping build a new driveway, all of which she did this year.  Wise in years but young at heart, Arnie brought the truck we needed at 7:30 am and didn’t leave in it until everything was done and the last of our CSL team left the 2^nd of our two Parkview Services adult group home job sites at 6:30 pm Saturday evening.  Here’s to marvelous Arnie Marcus, our Energizer on Spring Rebuilding Day and every day!" (written by Project Manager, Tim Brincefield)

Arnie (right)

Great work, Arnie!