A small group of grassroots activists in Midland, Texas has spread hope to homeowners in need, providing critical home repairs free of charge. Since its inspiring start 30 years ago, “Rebuilding Together” has grown to a nationwide network of 3.4 million volunteers who have delivered services worth $1.3 billion to families, the elderly, veterans and community centers.
Realizing their neighbors’ homes had fallen into disrepair, the original group in Texas with the help of local banks pooled their labor and skill and to set about to fix the problem. “At the very end I thought, ‘Maybe I am going to lose my home forever.’ But then I found Rebuilding Together,” said Sara, a Rebuilding Together homeowner. “They gave me hope that my home could be saved.”
This simple act of neighbors helping neighbors inspired others, spread slowly, and then across the country — with the help of larger corporate partners — which eventually led to the opening of the Rebuilding Together National Headquarters in 1988. Today, Rebuilding Together consists of 200 chapters throughout the United States that have completed work on more than 100,000 homes, some left damaged by natural disasters.
The goodwill of volunteers is matched by the charity and energy provided by corporate partners, like TD Bank, Sears, Lowes, Safeway, which not only provide materials and financial support but enlist employees and their families to join the rebuilding army. The teams also retrofit homes to become more energy efficient for those who can’t afford their heating bills. Governments too, support the effort through federal agencies and groups like the AmeriCorps service members. Even professional sports are involved, through NBA Cares and a partnership with the MLB All-Star Game.
For more information or to get involved visit: RebuildingTogether.org/how-you-can-help
Source: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org
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