Greenpoint Technologies to repair home of veteran family in Rainier Valley

On Saturday, April 26, more than 80 volunteers will restore the home of Ruth in Rainier Valley. Ruth's husband Vernon, an Air Force Veteran, passed away recently and since then she has had a hard time keeping up with their home. Ruth has been battling diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma for quite some time which makes it hard for her to do any of the work on her own. She and Vernon used to love riding motorcycles together, listening to jazz and blues in Seattle, spending time with their kids, and making pear-wine with fruit from the tree in their yard.

This project will be completed by volunteers from Greenpoint Technologies, a Kirkland-based company that provides luxury interiors for private jets. Greenpoint Technologies has served as one of our top sponsors for the past 5 years and we are so happy to have them back on board once again!

Greenpoint Volunteers - Spring Rebuilding Day 2014

Volunteers will be installing all new kitchen appliances, replacing broken windows, clearing clutter from her basement and first floor, repairing drywall around the front and back entrance ways, fixing rotting molding and trim, installing new light fixtures, and placing grab bars in her bathroom. Ruth has been beyond excited about the upcoming project. During some recent prep work days, Ruth said she couldn't believe the transformation that had already taken place. She counts her self as blessed to be chosen to be a part of Spring Rebuilding Day this year.

There will be many more photos from this project featured in the blog and on our Facebook page, so keep an eye out for pictures of this amazing transformation for both Ruth and her home!

24th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day is almost here!

The 24th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day with Rebuilding Together Seattle is just around the corner! On Saturday, April 26, nearly 1000 volunteers will repair 25 homes around Seattle from Lynwood to Burien. More than 25 local companies have pledged their support for this annual event by providing funding and volunteers to help low income homeowners in need of critical home repair!

Spring Rebuilding Day, also known as National Rebuilding Day, is part of Rebuilding Together’s national effort to preserve affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods through renovation services.  Approximately 170 Rebuilding Together affiliates nationwide will complete 3,000 projects on April 26^th with the help of 50,000 volunteers.

A big thank you to all of our sponsors who are making Spring Rebuilding Day possible. Because of you, we are able to keep this annual tradition of giving back to our community alive and well in Seattle!

Thank you to our Spring Rebuilding Day 2014 Sponsors

American Society for Civil Engineers - Seattle Chapter

Assumption Catholic Parish

The Brueske Team

Center for Spiritual Living

The Electric League

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Gonzaga University Alumni

Honeywell

Howard S. Wright

Intellectual Ventures

Junior League of Seattle

KPFF Consulting Engineers

McKinstry

O'Dea High School

PEMCO Insurance

Seattle City Light

Swinerton Builders

Venture Construction

Wright Runstad & Company

Young Professionals Society of Rebuilding Together Seattle

Thank you to everyone that makes Spring Rebuilding Day possible! Stay tuned for photos from this year's projects on the blog and on our Facebook page.

Spring Rebuilding Day 2014: Official T-Shirt Color Voting Contest!

It's that time of year again! Rebuilding Together Seattle is busy making preparations for its 24th Annual Spring Rebuilding Day, on our way to 25 years of serving the greater Seattle area!  Planning is already underway for 26 projects happening on Saturday, April 26th.

One part of planning for Spring Rebuilding Day that we always look forward to is choosing the color for our official volunteer t-shirt! Every year, we have asked our volunteers to vote for their favorite color in a fun contest to choose the color of the official Spring Rebuilding Day t-shirt. Last year, you choose a beautiful teal color and we are counting on you again to choose the best volunteer t-shirt color!

 

Last year's t-shirt, shown on a Spring Rebuilding Day 2013 Program Recipient.

This year, we have a great selection for you to choose from! The design will remain the same, but the color is up to you. This year's nominees are:

Coral Silk

Light Pink

Yellow Hazel

Ash Grey

Mint Green

Sky

 

Vote now! Click here to be taken to the online survey to cast your vote. All votes must be in by Monday, March 31 at 10am!

Questions? Email pschultz@rtseattle.org. Happy Voting!

Sponsor the Inaugural Safe and Healthy Homes Breakfast on May 15th!

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Safe and Healthy Homes Breakfast is Rebuilding Together Seattle’s newest fundraising event that benefits low income homeowners in need of critical home repairs.  The event consists of a brief presentation with a  keynote speaker and a testimonial from a Program Recipient.  At the end of the program, attendees are asked to make a financial contribution (suggested donation of $150.00) to support the mission of Rebuilding Together Seattle.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

The Presenting Sponsor is an underwriting opportunity to demonstrate major support for the mission of Rebuilding Together Seattle at the breakfast.  Please contact our office to learn more about Presenting Sponsorship opportunity this year: mthirlby@rtseattle.org or (206) 682-1231.

GOLD SPONSOR - $10,000

—  Prominent placement of logo and name in all marketing materials, including event *invitation*, signage, table cards, the RTS newsletter, blog, and Facebook Page

—  Acknowledgement as a Gold Sponsor in printed program and during live program

—  1-2 Reserved table(s) at the event (optional)

SILVER SPONSOR - $5,000

—  Logo included in  event invitation, signage,  table cards, the RTS newsletter, blog, and Facebook page

—  Acknowledgement as a Silver Sponsor in printed program and during live program

—  Reserved table at the event (optional)

BRONZE SPONSOR - $2,500

—  Name recognition in event invitation, table cards, RTS newsletter, blog, and RTS Facebook Page

—  Acknowledgement as a Bronze Sponsor in our printed program

—  Reserved table at the event (optional)

TABLE SPONSOR - $1,500

·         Name recognition on table cards, RTS newsletter, and blog

·         Acknowledgement as Table Sponsor in printed program

·         Reserved table at the event (optional)

*Invitation benefits depend on the date that sponsors are confirmed. 

Volunteers of the Month: Tim MacBean and Andrew Spottswood

Tim, far left, and Andrew, 3rd from the right.

Rebuilding Together Seattle is happy to recognize Tim MacBean and Andrew Spottswood as our Volunteers of the Month for February! Tim and Andrew led a small team of volunteers to help an elderly woman in living alone in the Interbay neighborhood. The volunteers installed a small ramp at the front door, changed light bulbs and installed smoke detectors throughout the home, painted a bedroom and many other small fixes throughout the home. This was the first time Andrew or Tim has led a project for Rebuilding Together Seattle and we were blown away by their leadership and dedication! Below, you can read what  Tim and Andrew had to say about their experience volunteering with Rebuilding Together Seattle.


How did you first get involved with Rebuilding Together Seattle?

TM: I met another RTS volunteer, Nathan Wright, through our mutual friend Andrew Spottswood, who I partnered with on our February event. I had been trying to find a volunteer opportunity that I could invite my friends and co-workers to that would be fun and rewarding and Nathan thought RTS would be a good fit – and it was! Margie Thirlby graciously came out to Microsoft during the annual Giving Campaign and did a great presentation for our team which got people excited about signing up.

AS: Nathan Wright has done several projects with RTS and introduced myself and Tim to his contacts. We were looking for a way to connect both goals for our church to get out and serve those in our community while bonding with our Co workers for a good cause.


What do you enjoy most about volunteering with RTS?

TM: One of the principles I try to stick to when giving is making sure that I’m not just giving a handout, or where I can’t directly see where my contribution is going. With RTS I could directly see the impact of the money and volunteer effort, plus you get to see the direct impact on the homeowner immediately. It’s pretty rare for all of those aspects to come together and it makes volunteering even more rewarding. All of the people I have worked with at RTS have been exceptional and professional which really makes it easy to plan an event.

AS: The needs are real and we made a true quality of life impact on Patricia. Also bonding with coworkers


What about the RTS mission are you most drawn to?

TM: was just really drawn to the vision of providing a safe and healthy home. When you find a group of passionate people with the right skills it really is so easy to make a major positive change in someone’s life with not that much money or effort. As I mentioned before being able to see it come together along with the end result is just the icing on the cake.

AS: RTS obviously spends a lot of time vetting out the most need and makes it easy for a team that is motivated to make significant change in that persons life.


What are you doing when you aren’t volunteering with Rebuilding Together Seattle?

TM: My job at Microsoft keeps me very busy of course so it is a challenge to balance work with doing what I really enjoy, which is spending time with my wife and 2 children. As a family we like to spend time together outside when we can – riding bikes, hiking, hanging out near the water…. I’m also an avid runner and I really enjoy racing so I try to run anywhere from 5K to marathon several times a year. I also serve regularly at my church in an administrative capacity, in the children’s ministry, and with other charities.

AS: I am a consultant for an IT firm that specializes in health care and CPA firms. I am a husband, dad of 3 (almost 4) and leader in my church, LifePoint Lynnwood.

Tim hard at work!

 

Andrew (left) and volunteers showing their RTS spirit!

Thank you, Tim and Andrew, for your hard work supporting the Rebuilding Together Seattle mission. You are both very special volunteers!

Volunteer of the Month: Erick Cruz!

Rebuilding Together Seattle congratulates Erick Cruz (above, left) on being Volunteer of the Month! Erick has been a long time supporter of RTS and has just completed leading one of two recent projects with Turner Construction. On January 29th, over 50 members of the Turner staff set aside time from their annual Officer's meeting to rehabilitate two Central District homes with Rebuilding Together Seattle. Erick, along with a dedicated team of Turner Seattle employees, spent a great deal of January planning the project and completing prep work to make for a successful day. Here is what Erick has to say about his experiences with Rebuilding Together Seattle:

How did you first get involved with Rebuilding Together Seattle?

I got involved as a volunteer 3 years ago, when Dan Gemme (Turner Seattle GM), who is on the RTS board, relocated from our Portland office. He is a strong supporter of RTS and kick started our involvement with the organization and community. 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with RTS?

My favorite part of volunteering with RTS, is the interaction with the homeowners. Most notably, my favorite part is their reaction the day of the event. They truly appreciate all the hard work and are very touched at the care and thought put into the repairs of their homes.

What about the RTS mission are you most drawn to?

What draws me most to the RTS mission, is being able to give back to the community iwth the skills that I have been fortunate to acquire over the years. Many of these folkds are down on their luck and I realize the importance of lending a helping hand. I consider myself lucky in that as many of us and our families are a stone's throw away from needing this sort of help too.

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

The question here is, what am I not doing? Not sleeping actually. My wife and I recently were blessed with our first son, who is now almost 4 months old. Coincidentally, I also started the evening MBA program at UW, which keeps me super busy. Oh and I also work full time as an engineer at Turner Construction :)

Thank you Erick and the Turner Team!

Announcing the First 14 Hearts Rebuilding Homes Donors!

Rebuilding Together Seattle sends a big "thank you" to the FIRST 14 donors for this year's Hearts Rebuilding Homes Valentine's Day Campaign. These 14 people are giving the gift of a warm and safe home to families in need this Valentine's Day in honor of their loved ones!

To join these supporters, visit http://rtseattle.org/hearts_rebuilding_homes.php.

First 14 Donors

David Kimelman 

Pam Madden 

Paige Schultz 

Margie Thirlby 

Mark Hall 

Jenny Whelan 

Kristen Thyng 

May Saetern 

Monica Berger 

Kari Koos 

John Lee 

Thomas Herche 

Kara Eberle 

Mary Weeks 

There are 10 more days left to participate in this year's Hearts Rebuilding Homes online campaign. Give the gift of a warm and safe home to a homeowner in need this Valentine's Day!