“We are so pleased to have so many volunteers join together to help rebuild our communities with repairs to homes and facilities for those who find it difficult to maintain them." Michael Potter, Chair, Rebuilding Together Boston
Boston, Mass. (PRWEB) April 29, 2016
Starting on Wednesday, April 27th, Rebuilding Together Boston (RTB) is celebrating its 25th annual National Rebuilding Days (NRD), the nonprofit announced today. Nearly 350 volunteers and civic leaders will engage in the rehabilitation of nine sites including homes in Hyde Park, Dorchester, and Roslindale as well as the Dorchester YMCA, Dorchester Youth Collaborative, Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center, Greenwood Memorial United Methodist Church, and the Nazareth Residence for Women and Children.
National Rebuilding Month is a month-long national call to service during the entire month of April, culminating with National Rebuilding Day, the last Saturday in April. Nearly 20,000 volunteers will serve on over 700 affiliate-led community revitalization projects throughout the month. National Rebuilding Month has been recognized by community leaders and national corporate partners for its immediate and large-scale impact to communities across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are 5.2 million homeowners who live in deteriorating, physically inadequate homes that threaten their wellbeing. The demand for our services grows as homeowners must choose from necessities like food and medicine over critical home repairs.
This year, Rebuilding Together Boston will complete nine projects during National Rebuilding Month, bringing together 350 volunteers to serve homeowners and communities in need. Volunteers will come together to make various repairs to the homes and facilities. Beginning at 8:30 am and working until 3:30 PM, tasks will include making home modifications; replacing appliances, windows, insulation, fences, and decks; repairing ceilings, cabinets, decks and gutters; landscaping and yard clean up; and interior and exterior painting.
We’re especially excited about hosting 34 Lowe’s employees who participated on April 27th at the home of an elderly couple unable to maintain their Roslindale home. The couple have been in the home since 1997 after renting in various neighborhoods of Boston for three decades. A heart attack in 2008 limited the husband’s mobility. His physical limitations combined with the family’s social security income mean that they haven’t been able to keep pace with the needs of their aging home. Last year’s brutal Boston winter took a toll on the house, severely damaging 10 windows, making the task of home repairs even more daunting. Volunteers from Lowe’s installed new windows, repaired gutters, fixed the back deck and painted the interior of the home.
Rebuilding Month will continue with six projects on Saturday, April 30th, one on Friday May 6th, and one on Wednesday, May 11th.
Rebuilding Together Boston’s work is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and their employees including: Booz Allen Hamilton, Citywide Contracting, Comcast, Dr. Fix-It, Gilbane Building Company, Grand Circle Foundation, Honeywell, Imagitas, Kensington Investment Company, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Pro Teck Valuation Services, SMMA, Starbuck Coffee Company, and Verndale.
“We are so pleased to have so many volunteers join together to help rebuild our communities with repairs to homes and facilities for those who find it difficult to maintain them. Our focus is on improving the health and safety of Boston’s residents,” says Michael Potter, chair of the Board of Directors of Rebuilding Together Boston. “We very much appreciate the support of our sponsors and volunteers, who make it possible to deliver critical services to our community.”
“Throughout the country, over 2.6 million homeowners live in inadequate housing, often families with young children and limited resources or older adults who can no longer care for their homes,” said Caroline Blakely, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “National Rebuilding Month shines a spotlight on the ever-growing need for our services and serves as a call to action to develop programs that ensure every American lives in a safe and healthy home.”
If interested in partnering with Rebuilding Together Boston or serving as a volunteer, please contact Karen Clay at kclay(at)rebuildintgoetherboston.org.
Site Locations and Descriptions are available upon request.
About Rebuilding Together Boston:
Since its founding in 1991, RTB has completed close to 400 projects with an estimated total value at nearly $7 million and engaged over 20,000 skilled and unskilled volunteers. Recipients are unable to pay for critical repairs because of hardships such as advancing age, medical emergencies, low fixed incomes, or stretched organizational budgets. The organization relies on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations as well as donated goods and services from local businesses. All work is performed at no charge. RTB’s goals are to provide a safe and healthy home for all those served and to improve their quality of life, including their security, warmth and independence. For more information, visit http://rtboston.org/.
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Press Contact: Karen Clay
617.971.0058
kclay(at)rebuildingtogetherboston.org
Michael Potter
617.833.9295
mpotter(at)rebuildingtogetherboston.org