Program Partner Highlights: GLY, Urban Steelworks, Cascade Pest Control, Seattle Bathtub Guy, & OutToday!

RTS Program Partner Highlights!

 Look out for this new monthly feature where we highlight program partners (in kind donors, outreach contacts, etc) that have gone above and beyond to help us meet our mission! 

This month would like to give a shout out to a few companies who have been so generous to donate their services to help us provide more home repairs to low-income homeowners! These companies include GLY Construction, Urban Steelworks, Cascade Pest Control,  Seattle Bathtub Guy, and OutToday Plumbing. We could not be more grateful for the time and effort they have spent helping to repair the homes of many deserving Seattle homeowners.

Urban Steelworks

Thanks again to these extraordinary companies!

RTS Energizers: Joel and Jose, YPS Rebuilding Day

On Dec 8th, the RTS Young Professional Society worked on the home of a family living in Mountlake Terrace (with help from a Lowe's grant). Project Leader, Anne Timmermans, had a tough time choosing an RTS Energizer among all the great volunteers that day, especially considering the weather.  Anne's initial response to choosing an Energizer was "Besides everyone who stayed out in the rain????"

In the end, Anne decided that the award should go to a pair of new volunteers- Joel and Jose! According to Anne, "they were willing to do whatever and jumped right in during the rainstorm. They also had GREAT attitudes!" Plus, YPS needed a truck to pick up a stove for the family the following week and Joel graciously offered up his truck for the service. We hope they'll continue volunteering with us in the future!!

Joel (far left) and Jose (far right)

Congrats, Joel and Jose! 

Thanks for a great first project.

RTS Energizer: Bob Bynum, GLY Foreman

 
On Nov 30th, Rebuilding Together Seattle partnered with Lowe's, GLY Construction, and NAIOP to repair Lynda's home. The winner of the RTS Energzier Award goes to Bob Bynum of GLY Construction!

About Bob:

"A carpenter’s carpenter, Bob has a passion for building and is unrelenting in his pursuit of always doing things the right way (you can say he’s a little old school in that regard). Fueled by a quick wit and a steady infusion of Dr. Pepper, Bob is an invaluable member of the GLY team and always keeps things interesting. A complicated project is no match for Bob’s tireless work ethic and attention to detail." (written by Brad Kilcup, Project Leader)

Bob working hard at Lynda's house

Thanks, Bob!

The RTS Young Professionals Society helps out family in Mountlake Terrace!

Lowe's Energy Efficiency Grant, House #3:

On Saturday, volunteers from the RTS Young Professionals Society (YPS) spent the rainy afternoon helping out a family of five living in Mountlake Terrace. Homeowners, Val and Ryan live with their 9 year old son, Kayden, and Ryan's parents, Debbie and Rick. Volunteers replaced single pane windows, installed a new sliding door, performed interior and exterior weatherization and caulking, replaced old light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs, and installed a new oven and stove.

This project was the last of three projects funded by a Lowe's energy efficiency grant that was awarded to RTS earlier this fall.

Great work, YPS!

YPS braves the rain

Getting rid of moss

RTS Board Member, Gayle Roberts, helping out

Homeowners, Val & Ryan

All smiles

Post service day brunch

And a big thank you to Lowe's for making this project possible!

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!

Rainier Beach senior receives help from Lowe's, GLY Construction, and NAIOP!

Lowe's Energy Efficiency Grant, House #2:

This past Friday, November 30, volunteers from GLY Construction and the Washington State chapter of NAIOP worked to restore Lynda's home, an elderly and disabled resident living in Rainier Beach. Volunteers installed handrails at the entryway stairs, installed new linoleum kitchen flooring, replaced the toilet, provided weatherstripping and a lock set at the west entryway, fixed a plumbing leak, replaced windows, and installed an energy efficient refrigerator!

Lynda and some of the volunteers

Brook and Brad (Project Leader)- DEMOLITION!

Teamwork!

Kitchen floor (BEFORE)

Kitchen floor (AFTER)

Building new steps

Working on the toilet

Post demo and reconstruction of back porch!

*Photos by Laurie Ascanio, GLY Construction*

Thank you Lowe's, GLY Construction, and NAIOP for making this possible!

Youth Program Spotlight: Sophia & Selina!

Two of our Youth Program members have gone above and beyond volunteering in October and November!  Both Sophia and Selina began volunteering at RTS right after the interest meeting in October and they have been consistent and hardworking.

Sophia is a student at Holy Names and volunteers in two different capacities at RTS.  Every week, Sophia helps with client outreach for 2 hours.  She calls different organizations around Seattle and tells them about our programs.  Soon, she is planning on visiting a few food banks in person to share more about the services we offer.  Sophia is also a member of the Youth Program's first project planning team.  Sophia and two other students have begun the process of selecting a house project to complete with Youth Program volunteers!

Selina is a student at Holy Names as well and spends 2 hours a week making sure our warehouse is clean and organized!  She has also helped with various projects around the office, including prepping for our Annual Appeal Campaign.  The RTS Staff has really enjoyed getting to know these two volunteers and we greatly appreciate everything they've done to help RTS run smoothly.

Sophia

Selina

Thank you Sophia & Selina! You girls rock!