More than 500 Volunteers Join Rebuilding Together Boston to Renovate Homes and Non-Profit Facilities on National Rebuilding Day

Volunteers, including New England Patriots employees and alumni and an all women skilled tradesperson team, are repairing homes and renovating housing for formerly homeless veterans, women and children at nine sites across the City.

BOSTON, April 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Rebuilding Together Boston (RTB), an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable housing and revitalize communities, is engaging more than 500 local volunteers and civic leaders to rehabilitate six homes in Mattapan, Dorchester and Roxbury; Pine Street Inn Veterans' housing and a residence for formerly homeless women, and the Nazareth Residence for Mothers and Children on National Rebuilding Day. This work is made possible by the generosity of sponsors: Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bullhorn, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Gilbane Building Company, Grand Circle Corporation, the Jacobs family, Mirassou Winery, Sears Holdings and Starbucks.  Also, the Home Depot Foundation made a generous community impact grant to Rebuilding Together Boston for the donation of supplies to support the renovation work on National Rebuilding Day.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)

Projects this year include the renovation of an 89-year old widow's home by an all women crew who are providing plumbing, electricity, and carpentry services at her home in Mattapan where she has resided in for more than 40 years and has cared for her grandson who has cerebral palsy.  Renovations include installation of a new bathroom on the first floor of her home, a new accessible build-in pantry and several other modifications to ensure her safety and to help her live more conveniently. 

In addition, twelve women from the Sisters in the Brotherhood, part of the Carpenter's Union will be working on three sites on National Rebuilding Day providing services which will improve the safety, warmth and independence of homeowners.

Also, volunteers will be working on several other projects including providing home modifications and energy-efficiency upgrades for a World War II Veteran and his wife.  RTB volunteers will complete needed repairs in the basement; reconstruct the front porch with new windows and paint; repair the railing and lattice work on the back porch and paint; install a new walkway from the driveway to back yard; install drainage for down spouts; and make any needed home modifications for the couple to ensure safety.

"As we enter our third decade of service to the Boston community, we are honored by the terrific support of our sponsors and our volunteers," said Simone Auster, President of Rebuilding Together Boston. "Without their support, we could not help these families in need and non-profits that deliver critical services to our community."

"Homeowners in Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury will benefit from the service of hundreds of Rebuilding Together Boston volunteers today as part of National Rebuilding Day," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "In addition, Pine Street Inn – Veterans'  housing and a residence for homeless women, and the Nazareth Residence for Women and Children, which serve so many of our City's neediest, will receive well-deserved makeovers from the RT Boston volunteers. We appreciate all of the Rebuilding Together Boston volunteers' and sponsors' contributions."

Volunteers today included New England Patriots employees and alumni players as part of their ongoing "Celebrate Volunteerism" campaign. The Patriots volunteers participated in hands-on service at a site in Dorchester, including home repairs, exterior and interior painting, home modifications for an elderly resident, and landscaping, among other tasks.

"Pine Street Inn is extremely grateful to Rebuilding Together Boston for their support," said Lyndia Downie, President of Pine Street Inn. "It is this kind of generosity from friends in the community that makes it possible for us to help those most in need," she added. 

Rebuilding Together Boston will be assisting Pine Street Inn, Veterans' Housing in Dorchester, which serves sixteen formerly homeless veterans. The facility operated by the organization provides long-term housing and other services to men who have served our country. Over 60 volunteers from Rebuilding Together Boston and Sears will paint the Veterans' rooms, hallways and common rooms; install new flooring in ten client rooms on the second floor; paint the porch and handicapped ramp and install a new basketball goal post and hoop to encourage recreation.  Volunteers also will be renovating Pine Street Inn's housing site for homeless women in Dorchester.

Rebuilding Together Boston, along with 200 fellow Rebuilding Together affiliates and their 70,000 volunteers across the country rehabilitate and improve the houses of low-income homeowners at no cost each year. Recipients of services include the elderly, physically challenged, veterans, families with children and others in need. 

"Rebuilding Together believes in serving our nation's homeowners and families, many who live at the poverty line and lack the discretional resources to address their critical home needs," said Gary A. Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "National Rebuilding Month brings national attention to the plight of homeowners and impacts countless communities through incredible acts of volunteerism."

National Rebuilding Month occurs every April, culminating with a final celebration and rebuilding day on the last Saturday in April. It is the result of a year's worth of planning, volunteer recruitment and sponsorship partnership to change homeowners' lives across the country. This month-long rebuilding event has witnessed entire communities transform, as grassroots efforts address the critical needs of communities.

About Rebuilding Together Boston:
Rebuilding Together Boston is an affiliate of the nation's leading non-profit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing repair and renovation services at no cost to those in need. Through support from foundation, corporate and individual sponsors; local businesses; skilled labor; and, the hands-on work of nearly 1,000 volunteers each year, Rebuilding Together Boston renovates and repairs homes for the City's economically-disadvantaged homeowners and nonprofit facilities across the City. To date, the value of Rebuilding Together Boston's work has totaled over $6 million, repaired over 300 homes and non-profit-owned facilities and involved over 20,000 volunteers in its work.  More information is available at: www.rtboston.org

SOURCE Rebuilding Together Boston

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