Renewal by Andersen Helps Veteran in Need

Rebuilding Together Seattle sends a big thanks to our new sponsor, Renewal By Andersen, for their support of our programs!

On November 8, 35 volunteers from Renewal By Andersen’s Seattle office helped Elvino Naccarato of West Seattle. The volunteers demolished and rebuilt the front landing and stairs, installed two new entry doors, replaced a fence, and did other household repairs so that Elvino can live in warmth, safety, and independence.


Volunteers from Renewal by Andersen preparing to build stairs.

More details of the service performed by Renewal By Andersen can be found in the West Seattle Blog and the West Seattle Herald.
 

Elvino and his wife, Ruth, have lived in their home for over 60 years. Elvino served in the US Army during World War II. Thank you, Elvino, for your service to our country. We wish all the best to you and Ruth!

Elvino, left, with a volunteer from Renewal by Andersen.

Thanks again to Renewal By Anderson for donating your time and talents to make a difference in Elvino and Ruth’s lives as we celebrate Veterans Day! Your support of Rebuilding Together Seattle allows us to come closer in achieving our vision of a safe and healthy home for every person.

Renewal by Andersen Volunteers.

Volunteer of the Month: Mark Knudson

Mark and his wife volunteering at a project in June

Rebuilding Together Seattle is so proud to recognize our awesome Volunteer of the Month for June, Mark Knudson of Abbott Construction. Mark has been a volunteer and supporter of RTS for more than 10 years, and has brought countless new volunteers to our organization ever since. We contacted Mark while he was on a month long trip to Norway to hear what it means to him to be June's Volunteer of the Month, and here are his responses!

1. How did you first get involved with Rebuilding Together Seattle?

This is a great question and I wish I knew the answer. I cannot really remember all the details but I do know that it was at least 10-12 years ago while I was instructing 3rd year apprentices for CITC in Bellevue. (Construction Industry Training Council). I believe that I caught wind of a program called Christmas in April and that they worked on homes in the Seattle area on the last Saturday in April of every year. I have always loved to volunteer and utilize the talents that God has blessed me with and I thought what a great opportunity this would be for the students that I instructed. They would get the hands on training that they needed in there apprenticeship and learn how to use their talents, and the community would get the help it needed as well. It was a win - win and have not stopped since.

2. What do you enjoy most about volunteering with RTS?

What I really like is when I get that first work package from the team captains and I read through the list of items that they are requesting to be completed by the students. I start getting excited about the difference that this work will make in the lives of the people in need and I also get excited thinking about the impact that it will have on the students. Both parties benefit when you give in this way. I get excited the morning of the day and as I drive from residence to residence checking on the students and talking with house captains and homeowners. As the day progresses I like strapping on the tools and getting to work if needed. I really enjoy working with the RTS staff and and house captains in regards to the projects and results.

3. What about the RTS mission are you most drawn to?

I like the screening process that takes place and ensures that those with the greatest needs get help. I like the fact that the work that is done is designed to impact the way of life for those that are helped. I like the fact that the organization has opportunities for giving of cash to help support the efforts so if we just want to show up with labor and give time we can. I love the fact that old homes are being given another chance to supply the needs of the homeowner. Some of these homeowners are really attached to their houses but just can’t keep them up or do not have the resources and expertise to make the repairs. I love the fact that disabled people are being helped to the point that they can live a more fulfilling life. I believe in the work that is being done by RTS and the staff and support them wholeheartedly. Other than that there is absolutely nothing that draws me to RTS.

4. What are you doing when you aren't volunteering with Rebuilding Together Seattle?

I am a Sr. Construction Manager for Healthcare and Occupied Remodel for Abbott Construction Inc. I have been working at Abbott for 20 years. I am also a 4th year apprenticeship instructor of Carpentry at CITC in Bellevue and an on-line instructor for 1st, 2nd, and 4th year carpentry for CITC. Father of 4 with one grandson and one on the way. Recently married to an amazing women who loves to volunteer as much as I do. Between the two of us we have 5 sons, 3 daughters, 2 son in laws 4 daughter in laws, and 12 grandchildren right now and 2 due at the end of this month. When you do the math and we have a party after the two new ones arrive we will need a table set for 30. Not bad for a couple of 40 year olds. We are currently in Norway for an amazing trip of 30 days. We attend Highlands Community Church and also are involved with serving for one of the emergency shelters with Union Gospel Mission in Seattle once a month where we bring in a meal with other volunteers from Abbott and also have done work with Vision House which helps single moms in need of housing and are in a transition. Love to ride our Harley, love to enjoy wine, dancing and good company.

Mark's view in Norway!

Thank you, Mark, for everything you have done for RTS and everything you continue to do. We are lucky to have you as a volunteer, donor, and all-around advocate for our mission!

Volunteers from Abbott Construction, led by Mark (second from the right), at their Rebuilding Day in June.

Turner Construction Volunteers Rebuild Home for Couple in Rainier Beach

 

This last Saturday, 25 volunteers from Turner Construction in Seattle went to work rebuilding a family's home in Rainier Beach. The happy homeowners, Linda and Ishmail, received new insulation, new air ducting, new interior doors, new flooring and baseboards, and new siding and soffits where the old had rotted away. Volunteers also helped with pruning and yard work, and were able to paint the entire exterior of the home! After years of dealing with a cold, drafty house that was marred by rodent damage, Linda and Ishmail were so grateful to have a warm and safe home again.

 

Linda and Ishmail's home had severe rodent damage

Linda, standing in her home as volunteers repair
her flooring and install new baseboards!

 

 

 Linda and Ishmail see these repairs as a fresh start after what has been a rough few years. Since 2009, Linda has struggled with a series of critical health problems including a life-threatening blood disease, cancer and diabetes. Costly treatments meant the couple had little left in the budget for any home renovations or repairs. Linda was overwhelmed to be receiving help, especially after years of giving back to the community herself. She has spent much of her time as a volunteer for Seattle youth, encouraging kids to pursue their dreams in the arts (and beyond), and even offering up her home as a safe place to stay for her son's friends. Linda is also an accomplished poet and musician, who has found new inspiration to create after a period of silence.

 

Linda and Ishmail's home before the repairs

Linda, with project leaders Justin (left) and Abdi (right),
 standing proudly in front of her "new" home

 

We want to thank Turner Construction, Project Leaders Justin and Abdi, and the 25 volunteers that made Linda and Ishmail's house a place they are happy to call home again!

 

RTS Staff members Tim (left) and Mike (right), with Linda and Project Leader Abdi



RTS Energizer: All 15 volunteers, Wells Fargo Rebuilding Day

On Saturday, June 8th, 15 volunteers helped disabled homeowner, Marilynn, with critical repairs at her home. Originally, there were supposed to be around 30 volunteers to do the work that day but only 15 were able to make it in the end.  Despite this, the volunteers were determined to uphold their commitment to Marilynn so they worked twice as hard to get the all of the work scope items done in time.  As a result, the Project Leaders want to recognize the entire team as the RTS Energizer!

About the Wells Fargo volunteers:

"The leaders said the entire team because with the guidance of Richard, Morgan and Andrea they accomplished a job that should have been for 35-40 people with 15. So they are all energizer bunnies for working together and seeing it through to the finish." (written by Volunteer Coordinator, Kristi Bruketta).

Team Depot volunteers are 'Doing More for Veterans'

Yesterday, volunteers from The Home Depot repaired the home of veteran, Antonio, and his family. Antonio is a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army from 1966-1969. After returning from his service, he started working to help other veterans get education and housing through the community college. The volunteers renovated the kitchen, repaired and stained the deck, cleaned the siding and built new stairs. Antonio was in awe of all the help that the volunteers gave him and he can't say thank you enough! 

Monty (Antonio's son), Joe (Project Leader), Antonio (Homeowner), Jeni (RTS AmeriCorps member)

Way to go, Team Depot!

HomeStreet Bank volunteers in action!

 

Today volunteers from HomeStreet Bank and Trade Craft Builders are busy restoring the home of Virginia, an 89 year old disabled homeowner and widow of a WWII veteran living in White Center.  Volunteers are repairing and painting her deck, removing carpeting, completing yard work, and more!

Stay tuned for more updates!  Thank you HomeStreet Bank for sponsoring this special event! Thank you, Trent and Tradecraft Builders for managing our project - we couldn't do it without you.

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.

Wells Fargo volunteers to help out Marilynn in North Delridge on Saturday

Mary's home desperately needs a new coat of exterior paint

 

On Saturday, June 8th, 30 volunteers from Wells Fargo will help repair and restore the home of a disabled homeowner, Marilynn, living in North Delridge. Marilynn is 60 years old and has lived in her home for over 20 years. She suffers from osteoarthritis and has had hip, knee, and shoulder replacements.

Volunteers will paint the exterior of the home, smooth uneven floor transitions from room to room, weatherize the front door, replace two windows, clean and repair gutters, and complete extensive yard work. It should be quite the transformation!

 

Check back on Saturday for live updates and photos.

 

 

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!

Before & After Shots from Safeway Rebuilding Day

Tree removal, new mulch, and gravel

 

 

Shed demo, tree removal, weeding, ivy removal, and deck powerwash

Ramp clean-up

Yard Work: Parkview residents are in charge of maintaining their yards, however, all four residents are confined to wheelchairs making upkeep difficult. Safeway volunteers worked to make the yard as low maintenance as possible by removing overgrown bushes, adding mulch and gravel, demoing an old shed, scraping moss, powerwashing the deck and ramp, and mowing the lawn.

Kitchen Before & After

Kitchen: In the kitchen volunteers installed new countertops, a new hood range, a light fixture, and replaced the sink.  A new fridge will be delivered this week.

Bathroom flooring demo, stay tuned for photos of the new flooring!

Bathroom: The flooring in the roll-in bathroom was beginning to rot.  Volunteers worked all day to demo the 4 layers of flooring.  This week new waterproof tile flooring will be installed along with a new toilet.

A big thanks to all involved!

Recap of Saturday's Safeway Rebuilding Day, 4-6-13

Group shot of Safeway volunteers

Project Manager, Erick, talks about safety

RTS Program Associate, Claire, (left) with Linda from Parkview (center) and Van from Provail (right)

Volunteers checking out the task list for the day

Measuring the new countertop

Cleaning gutters

Shed demo

Landscaping

Shed demo

Buildings cubbies for kitchen storage

Interior painting

RTS Programs Manager, Caleb, helping with the bathroom flooring demo

Interior painting

The deck was definitely due for a powerwash!

Installing the new countertop

Landscaping

Bathroom flooring demo

Teamwork!

Installing new cubbies for kitchen organization

Linda from Parkview showing a resident the kitchen improvements

Project Manager, Erick Cruz, with Director of Parkview Services, Linda Roche

Great work, Safeway volunteers!