Exit133

April 16, 2014 · Exit133

Hundreds of volunteers work to make South Sound homes safe, healthy

TACOMA, WA – April 26, 2014 – Approximately 450 Rebuilding Together South Sound volunteers will be deployed throughout Pierce County and Auburn on Saturday, April 26, as part of National Rebuilding Day to complete critical home repairs for low-income homeowners who are elderly, disabled or families with children.

Rebuilding Together South Sound will take on 25 home rehabilitation projects as part of National Rebuilding Day to maintain affordable housing and keep low-income homeowners safe and healthy. In 2001, when Rebuilding Together South Sound was established, the nonprofit group completed three projects on National Rebuilding Day.

“To all those hard workers who worked so hard on my home. There are really no words to express how grateful I am. To have a toilet that actually works is great, something I never thought I’d have. Bathroom sink and kitchen (new) faucet is wonderful. My new window by the door is beautiful. Makes it so much lighter in here. Weather-stripping has totally helped eliminate cold breezes in living room. The beautiful stairs will totally change my life. I can go more places, more often. I feel like I have a new lease on life” – Evelyn, Rebuilding Day 2013

“Rebuilding Together South Sound has been able to work with local and national partners that have a passion for giving back to the community and we are proud to be helping keep more and more homeowners safe and healthy in their homes,” said Executive Director Amy Hoyte. With volunteer and in-kind community support, each dollar raised by Rebuilding Together South Sound provides a minimum of $4 worth of work for recipients. Since 2001, Rebuilding Together South Sound has completed 513 projects with repairs worth more than $5.3 million.

Rebuilding Day 2014 local highlights include:

  • Installing a 60-foot wheelchair ramp for a disabled man in Tacoma to get him safely in and out of his home.
  • Installing a walk-in shower for a man in Tacoma who has a degenerative muscle disease and will soon be wheelchair-bound.
  • Replacing rotten deck and repairing roof, ceiling, electrical and plumbing for a recovering hoarder.

In addition to National Rebuilding Day, Rebuilding Together South Sound provides emergency repairs and home modifications year-round. With the help of 6,600 volunteers and 70,000 hours of service, we have installed more than 89 wheelchair ramps, 16 walk-in showers, 310 handrail and grab bars, in addition to completing 98 roof repairs or replacements, 155 plumbing and 149 electrical repairs.

For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogetherSS.org. You can also find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RTSouthSound or follow us on Twitter @RTSouthSound.