Volunteers to Help Two Veterans with Critical Home Repairs

Seattle, WA – On Thursday, June 13th, from approximately 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Rebuilding Together Seattle (www.rtseattle.org) will partner with roughly 75 volunteers from Sponsor groups HomeStreet Bank (Seattle) and The Home Depot (Bellevue) to clean, rebuild, and repair the homes of two veterans in the Seattle area. 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.

Volunteers from The Home Depot (project sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation) will help Antonio in the Laurelhurst neighborhood, an Army veteran who was injured in combat during the Vietnam War.  Antonio now works as a Veterans Coordinator at Seattle Central Community College helping other vets find safe housing and get an education. Volunteers will build a new fence, clean and repair siding, remove trash, remodel the kitchen with new flooring, appliances, and cabinets, install new living room flooring, and rebuild the deck. Antonio and his wife have many visitors to their home, both children and grandchildren, so these repairs will allow their family to spend more time together in a warm and safe home. 

Volunteers from HomeStreet Bank will help Virginia, an 89 year old wheelchair-bound woman who has lived in her home in West Seattle for over 60 years. Virginia’s husband was an Army veteran who served during World War II. Volunteers will complete yard work, replace broken or worn out appliances, install wheelchair guards throughout the house, weatherize doors, repair and stain the deck, and replace the carpet. These repairs will allow Virginia more mobility in her home, ensuring she will be able to stay in the home she loves for years to come.

For more information on the HomeStreet Bank or The Home Depot projects through Rebuilding Together Seattle, including project addresses, please email pschultz@rtseattle.org or call (206) 682-1231. This event will offer exceptional visuals and ample opportunity for interviews; all interested media are encouraged to contact Rebuilding Together Seattle for more details. 

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. Rebuilding Together Seattle is a volunteer, charitable organization that repairs homes and non-profit facilities at no cost to the individuals served. RTS serves the elderly, disabled, families with children, and veterans in need. For more information, please visit www.rtseattle.org.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of The Home Depot and has invested more than $340 million in local communities since being established in 2002. The foundation manages the company’s grants initiatives and disaster relief activities as well as Team Depot, our associate-led volunteer force.

The mission of The Home Depot Foundation is simple to improve homes and improve lives. Through partnerships with local nonprofits and the volunteer efforts of Team Depot, we focus on repairing and refurbishing homes and facilities that serve disadvantaged families and individuals. The Foundation has commited $80 million over five years to address the housing needs of veterans.

About HomeStreet Bank

HomeStreet Bank is one of the largest community banks in the Northwest and Hawaii. Since we began in 1921, we've stayed focused on what we believe is most important: building long-term relationships with our customers and providing ongoing support to our communities.  We offer a full range of financial services including business banking, business lending, consumer banking, mortgage lending, residential construction financing, income property financing and insurance services.

Our primary area of community focus is housing and homes. HomeStreet also supports organizations where our employees have an integral involvement. Each year, HomeStreet Bank donates two percent of pre-tax profits to nonprofit organizations serving our communities.