Spring-time Wish List

Around this time of year we get a lot of questions about items folks would like to donate. Most of the time people only think of us when they are changing out their appliances or kitchen cabinets (always appreciated), but may not know that we also gladly accept small things, like the items listed below:

Reams of white 8.5x11 paper
New painting supplies: paint brushes, rollers, buckets, tape, etc (but please no actual paint)
Gift cards in small amounts

Leather work gloves in all sizes
Gently used tools, especially power tools
Ladders, especially extension ladders

Solid shelving units for garage/warehouse
Exterior extension cords
HEPA vac filters

Green and/or black fabric table cloth for 8' rectangle table
Weekly volunteer to help with Quickbooks data entry

Duct tape

Swiffer Sweeper dry disposable cloths

New or gently used card tables

EZ up tent

Super Sticky Name Tags

Medium-large shredder

And they're off!

The numbers are in, and the groups are settled... We are pleased to announce that Rebuilding Together Aurora will be bringing together nearly 40 volunteer crews to provide 31 families with home repairs this April!

We can't help but feel like we're at the start of a horse race, with all the buzz and planning and eventual 'letting go of the reins' we experience when we hand the projects off to our volunteer crews. In the week leading up to the House Captain training, it's like we were loading up the stalls. Last Thursday, the buzzer rang, and our fearless (project) leaders went on their way! Of course there are hiccups, but it's exciting to see how the players adjust, determine strategies, and head for the finish line. April 28 and May 5 this year are the home stretch, and we expect to see a smooth finish for all. Fortunately we're splitting the spoils again at the Volunteer Appreciation Event (join us on May 5 for a cookout!).
Everyone's a winner when you're racing for good. (yes, we're that corny)

Keep checking in... we'll be posting photos and links for ways you can get involved-- but also take a peek at the new link above ("Available Volunteer Jobs") and sign up to help out this spring!

Volunteer Shout Out

Shout Out to Aurora University's men soccer player Brett Wegleitner, who participated in Saturday's Green Home House Call event. Brett is a sophomore soccer player, and "took the lead in helping to organize the men's soccer team for the Green Homes event" says head coach Amir St. Clair. "Brett organized rides, and made sure everything was communicated throughout the whole team."

35 volunteers from the AU team joined Rebuilding Together Aurora to provide 13 households in Aurora with energy efficiency upgrades and training materials. "I was very impressed by how enthusiastic and engaged all of the students were," says Amy Altenbern, Executive Director.
We look forward to having them back on our team in the Spring! (groan-worthy pun intended) Score!

Logistic Captains

April may feel an awfully long way off, but here in the RTA office, we are already thinking hard about those soggy Spring Saturdays just 25 weeks away!

Do you know an exceptional person without a lick of "handyman skill" that may have enjoyed working with RTA in the past and/or might want get involved in a deeper way?

In response to feedback from our fabulous House Captains, we are creating a new volunteer position! This volunteer job, which we are calling the "Logistic Captain," will provide critical Event support to both homeowners, house captains, and RTA staff. In general, LCs will assist RTA staff keep track of work being done on site, act as homeowner liaison, and relieve the House Captains of paperwork duty (hooray!). It's a good role for someone who would enjoy engaging with volunteers and homeowners socially, is organized and can keep on top of light paperwork, but is a little less interested in performing skilled work.

LCs will have several pre-event site visits to conduct with the House Captain and/or on their own time, and 2 full Saturdays. However, otherwise, they simply need to stay in contact with their House Captains and the RTA staff between late Feb - early May.

If you or someone you know is interested, either contact the RTA office or request more information through this form: http://goo.gl/Cp9LG

See you this spring!

Lowes Sponsor Shout Out

The Lowe's Team still in good spirits at the end of the day

The Aurora and Oswego Lowe's stores teamed up to repaint the exterior of a (rather large) home last Saturday for a Vietnam veteran. The homeowner, cited for both unsightly paint and damage to his garage roof, is an active community member and spent much of the day sharing his story with volunteers. He was delighted by the quality of work the team provided and overwhelmed by the number of volunteers that came out to help.

The crew powered through the long day with exceptional spirit despite a lunchtime downpour of rain and hail. Instead of taking cover under scaffolding or lunching in warm cars, several volunteers simply moved underneath awnings and continued to paint, insisting that "the more we do now, the faster we'll be done!"

Denny Fulkrod, HR Manager at the Aurora Lowe's store and the project's House Captain reflected that "it was a great experience. We were all exhausted at the end of the day but with a real sense that we had given back to the community that helps keep our doors open everyday."

"I want to thank all the associates from the Aurora and Oswego stores that not only came out and helped paint, but I also want to thank those associates that stayed back at the stores to ensure our customers could be taken care of."


Lots of volunteers and one very fun machine


Installing new storm windows


Happy when the sun came out!

More photos can be seen here: 824 Benton album