A Letter From a Homeowner

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

Thanks from the Hazell family to Honeywell

On Saturday, October 23, Honeywell volunteers completed their 5th project with Rebuilding Together Seattle to help a family in the Greenlake neighborhood of Seattle. The following week, the Rebuilding Together Seattle office received an email from the Hazell family, sharing their appreciation for Honeywell's work.

The RTS Staff & Board hopes that RTS supporters will enjoy "reading the impact" that a sponsor and group of volunteers had on one of our families. Thank you, Honeywell!
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10-29-10 to info@rtseattle.org:

Amazing improvements. Awesome - it took my breathe away! Thank you all so much for such fantastic work. The kitchen floor is beautiful and the new faucet too. It's unbelievable how much can be accomplished in one day; and the wonderful work that a group of people can do. All the yard work in the back and front - beautiful job in the rockery. When I came up the front steps were much safer with the railings in front, and better stairs and porch. Everything was much more organized inside. Thank you again.
Evelyn Hazell - homeowner, 98 years old

Thank you. When I came out of the house I couldn't believe all the amazing talented volunteers who came. I was speechless. Thank you so much for everything you did: from fixing the railings, repairing the stairs, securing the porch, to the yard work in the front and back, the beautiful kitchen floor and faucet, the new vapor barrier in the crawl space, and even fixing a light and the toilet handle. A special thanks for the help with organization and cleaning.

I also saw something else: people connecting with one another, on a personal level. How wonderful!

I wanted to share a memory from when I was a child. I remember my mom and dad had friends and family that got together to play the game pinochle. One of them needed to have a basement dug for his house on Mercer Island. So instead of playing cards, one weekend they dug out the basement for their friends. The men dug, and the women brought food and cleaned (it was the fifties). It was like a big picnic, and everyone was doing something. Like this wonderful group of people who came to my mom's house to work on it. What amazing people they all are. My thanks goes out to these caring people.
Annette (Evelyn's daughter)

My first impression is the opening up of the view of the house from the street. It's amazing.
From the front room it's especially impressive with much more daylight into the home, with a cheerful feeling.
Kurt (son in law)

The sense of security is improved with the sturdy railings and the new stairs for my mom. It's a great relief. The new kitchen floor is beautiful. A great accomplishment for one day's work. I love the openness with the trimming of the trees. Wow - the backyard rockery looks great. Thank you!
Sue (daughter)

On a more laconic bent: y'all done a good thing.
Ken (friend)

Feature project of the week: Eric Kormondy & Team

On Spring Rebuilding Day 2010 Project Leader, Eric Kormondy, and his team tackled a project in South Seattle.  They rebuilt a deck out back, renovated a bathroom and kitchen, and completely demolished an unsafe garage in the backyard.  The homeowner, Betty, is elderly and disabled.  She requires the use of a walker and help from her dauther to get up and down stairs and to and from the rooms of her house. The improvements made by Eric and his team were a tremendous help to Betty and her mobility and safety.

Betty and her daughter, Beverly, both wrote wonderful thank you letters to RTS and to Eric and his team:


April 29, 2010

Dear Volunteers,

I want to thank you for all the hard work you have done. I would like to say without your help and assistance and hard work in making my home a safer environment it would not have been possible. While everyone was working so hard and diligently I felt bad I wasn’t able to help with my health condition that I have.

I have met a lot of volunteers on April 24 and I must say I enjoyed each and every one of you. The volunteers were very nice and courteous and very respectful to me and my family. I noticed after my daughter told me to look at the volunteers and see how all of them had smiles on their faces and how none of them had angry faces. I was glad to see that this world has kind hearted people that really care for others. I must say I saw the caring people at my home April 24 that really impacted my life my home and gave me a safe way of living life and I thank you.

As I gotten more curious as the day went on I decided to go and take a look at the house. I first looked at the kitchen I thought I was going to fall off my walker. I was so shocked to see my kitchen transformed into a beautiful place. Later that night I got up out of bed and I guess I just couldn’t believe all that was fixed so I went to look at my kitchen again to see if I was dreaming. I thank God I wasn’t dreaming . I saw my back patio rebuilt into another master piece then the bathrooms was fixed very nicely and the back yard was cleaned up marvelously as well as the basement and the garage. If I have forgotten anything please forgive me. I never thought it would be possible for me to get help and I thank you again for all you have done.

My daughter (Beverly) started the paper work to try to get me help to fix my home. A friend of Beverly told her about this program Rebuilding Together Seattle from her job 1 year ago. Beverly said “mom I can’t afford to help fix your home but I’m going to try to get you some help to fix your home.” She was very persistent in calling Rebuilding Together Seattle and she also prayed long and hard. God heard her prayers and God sent the volunteers and Rebuilding Together to me. And I thank God for the people that dedicated their whole Saturday weekend to me to help make my home a better place you all are wonderful. Thank you.

I heard my daughter talking to the workers and I heard her say “You all are awesome” and I want the volunteers to know each and every one of you are “Awesome.”

Once again Beverly and I want to thank all the volunteers that helped me in the time of need. I would also like the volunteers to know you will not be forgotten and there will always be a warm place in our hearts for you all. Thank you again and God bless everyone.

Sincerely,

Betty
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April 26, 2010

Dear Rebuilding Together, Sponsors, and Volunteers All,

My name is Beverly, my mother Betty is the person who was chosen to receive your services from Rebuilding Together.

Betty and I want to give a very warm and generous thank you to Rebuilding Together, the sponsors, and the volunteers all that were involved in this project and all that I may have missed that was involved. I apologize to anyone that I may have missed. The project was very successful. Thank you.

I would like to let Rebuilding Together to know that you have an “awesome” and a “wonderful” group of people working with you. I noticed on this day (April 24th) the word of the day was “AWESOME.” I chose that word because everyone was “AWESOME.” The volunteers had happy faces at all times not one person looked like they didn’t want to be there. The volunteers made me feel good because they were very happy, kind and they had a very happy spirit and I love to see that in people. Thank you.

I watch a lot of Extreme Makeover shows – they build a house in 7 days for families that are in need for different reasons. You know Rebuilding Together reminds me of this show. I cry a lot while watching this show because they are doing a lot of wonderful things for different people who are in need for different reasons who can’t afford to fix any problems that may arise in the home.

As the day was ending and everyone was leaving I spoke to Eric trying to fight back all my tears but I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I wasn’t sad but on the inside I was very very happy for my mother and all thr great things that changed her life in 11 to 12 hours. My mother’s home is a lot safer for her, she can sit on her porch without it moving while she walks on it, my mom can put food in her kitchen cabinets without her cabinets falling through from the weak boards, she can finally use her bathroom sinks without seeing rust and she don’t have to watch the drips that seemed to never stop. And when she goes down her stairs I don’t have to worry about her tripping because the carpet is not stapled down, Betty can look in her back yard and not worry about seeing cat coming out an old garage that was ready to fall at any time with a gentle push. THANK YOU … Her home is a lot better place to be and she is loving her home more today.

Betty woke up Sunday and thought she was in someone else’s home because she thought something so “AWESOME” could not have happened to her. I told her I love her and I would do it all over again to help her because she has given to a lot of people and now it’s her turn to receive something good.

I want everyone to know that I thank God for Rebuilding Together, the sponsors and the volunteers all that were involved. I prayed long and hard for my mother to receive help from Rebuilding Together and do you know what we have an “Awesome” God, He answered my prayers.

Betty would like you to know she is in such amazement and awe and she sends here very happy and warm and generous thank you to everyone involved.

Betty and I would like to thank everyone for their generosity and kindness and loyal dedication to finish the work at my mother’s home it was greatly appreciated. Everyone is wonderful and awesome. I want to say thank you again for everything. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Beverly and Betty

Volunteers hard at work on Betty's home

Featured Project of the Week: J2 Building Consultants

On Spring Rebuilding Day 2010, J2 Building Consultants went to the home of veteran Wayne and his family in Everett. Wayne is a 63 year-old disabled Vietnam War veteran who was enlisted on January 27, 1964.

On Saturday, April 24th, J2 volunteers dedicated their day to repairing windows, painting, bathroom repairs (grab bars, new vent, tub enclosures), updating the electric work throughout, installing new stove, molding and a kitchen door.

The team submitted a great before and after group shot of their work! What an amazing difference they made!

Before

After

A note from Wayne and his family:

To all the wonderful Volunteers,

I’m having so much trouble coming up with enough words to describe this experience. My family and I were treated wonderfully by Rebuilding Seattle and all the volunteers that worked on our house.

The experience of meeting and dealing with all of you was great. Every one of the volunteers were courteous, kind, and hard-working. The work that they did on our home was quality work, the professionalism they showed handling weather and other circumstances was impressive. We didn’t expect the work to be done so quickly, given that the weather didn’t cooperate. However, they remained optimistic and attacked it with a great attitude.

I can’t say enough just how pleased our family is with your organization and its volunteers. We offer our thankful praise a thousand times over. We will always remember the help you’ve given our family at a very difficult time.

May your times be long and happy,

Wayne

Great work J2 Consultants! You have made a noticeable difference and impact on Wayne's life.

Feature Project of the Week: Assumption Parish and Premiere Builders NW

RTS wants to share an incredible story with all of you:

This year, Assumption Parish (Seattle) and Premiere Builders Northwest took on a project that required volunteers to dedicate their time not only on April 24th, but also for several weekends before to prep for Spring Rebuilding Day. The goal was to improve the living situation of a physically and developmentally disabled mother and daughter in Shoreline.

Shoreline Fire Department had responded to this home on 60 different occasions last year alone. Because the clients' problems included ongoing mental health issues, Shoreline Fire was not sure how to help or improve their situation. Shoreline Fire learned of Rebuilding Together Seattle's efforts and of the volunteers from Assumption Parish and Premiere Builders NW and jumped at the opportunity to help out. On Spring Rebuilding Day 2010, Firefighters and staff from Shoreline Fire Department showed up eager to help with the work needed on the home of this mother and daughter who were in desperate need of help. The resulting improvements were simply astounding. Thank you to all the volunteers involved in this tremendous project!!

 Below is a letter RTS received from the Shoreline Fire Department Chief, Mark Bunje:

May 2, 2010

To: Assumption Catholic Church

And Rebuilding Together Seattle

To the incredible volunteers who gave their time in Shoreline in April:

On behalf of the entire Shoreline Fire Department: Words cannot express our gratitude for your energy, enthusiasm and generosity in helping us solve one of the most challenging human service issues Shoreline Fire has ever encountered.

Your willingness to give your own time and to use your exceptionally varied and unique skills in our community is something we will never forget. You came forward at a time when we were desperate for help – and at a loss to where to find it.

You may not realize how often our emergency responses lead to the discovery of horrible and sad living conditions that we are unable to fix. Our firefighters and paramedics are great when they are needed to save life and property – and they can do it fast! But when faced with chronic, ongoing mental health issues, extreme poverty and desperate living conditions … we are often at a loss.

Because of you, we didn’t have to walk away. We were able to benefit from human kindness, caring and selflessness that astounded us. We are humbled by your actions and will be forever grateful that there are people in our community who are willing to show this level of compassion.

Know that you all have the entire Shoreline Fire Department watching your backs – and hoping that you, too, enjoyed the wonderful fellowship and the incredible leadership of Anne Quiqq during the month of April. We would like to recruit her as our next Battalion Commander!

Sincerely yours,

Mark Bunje

Fire Chief

RTS is so grateful to Ray Meuse of Ray Meuse Photography for taking such great photos at the project site. To see his other work, visit www.raymeusephotography.com. Here are some of his amazing before and after shots: