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Local News and Events

National Partnership Launch:  RTMC is pleased to announce Rebuilding Together’s new national partnership with Choice Hotels. Through the program Room to Rebuild, Choice Hotels will sponsor and execute 20 rebuilding projects over the next year with Rebuilding Together affiliates across the county. RTMC hosted the launch of this program on September 11th, the first National Day of Service and Remembrance, at Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville. Over 100 Choice Hotels volunteers worked together to rip out old carpet, build and paint radiator covers, install window guards for child safety, remove and replace the porch floor, build a paved picnic area, and clear away overgrown foliage. Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Congressman Chris Van Hollen even stopped by to lend a hand!

New AmeriCorps members: RTMC welcomes the arrival of AmeriCorps CapacityCorps members Lane Van Buren and Chris Somers who will be serving with us through July 2010. Lane, as Outreach Coordinator, will work in the community and with volunteers to increase awareness and recognition of our organization. Chris, as Skilled Trades and Energy Efficiency Coordinator, will be developing relationships with skilled trade volunteers and creating a new Energy Efficiency program. Both will be leading new monthly rebuild projects throughout the year.

United We Serve: In response to President Obama's call to service, Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country implemented an energy efficiency outreach project which shared consumer-focused energy resources with 50,000 low-income families.  RTMC packed and delivered 500 bags full of these energy resources to families in low-income neighborhoods in Rockville. Thanks to our wonderfully enthusiastic Choice Hotels volunteers who were quite efficient themselves in the packaging and delivering of the bags.

Fall Rebuilding Day(s):  RTMC is excited to be partnered with Raffa, Sears Holdings, and Lowe's Charitable Foundation on projects this fall. On October 24th, National Make A Difference Day, these groups will come together to make safety, accessibility and preventative maintenance repairs to homes across the county. October 24th will also mark the first AmeriCorps Monthly Project, where our two AmeriCorps members, Chris and Lane, will lead a team of volunteers in a home repair project of their own. We are equally thrilled to announce another upcoming project on November 7th lead by Battley Harley Davidson and the US Administration on Aging.

Our homeowners often times need help with more than just home repair. This month, consider supporting our fall projects by donating a gift card to RTMC from a home furnishing store.

RTMC Warehouse:  Rebuilding Together Montgomery County is very excited to announce a new partnership with the Germantown Home Depot.  The Rebuilding Together Community Warehouse has been established to receive regular donations of home improvement and building materials from The Home Depot.  The donations will be used on Rebuilding Together projects throughout the year allowing RTMC to serve more homeowners.  Provided through the partnership, building materials and products will become available at no cost to a broader set of organizations.  We hope to extend the benefits to a larger number of deserving projects and foster synergistic relationships between other non-profit and faith based organizations.  Initially, we will be issuing a list of available materials on a monthly basis through the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's Donations Hotlinks process.   As the process continues to develop we anticipate more frequent notifications and a separate newsletter/enews showcasing the Rebuilding Together Community Warehouse and our impact. 

To learn more about the Rebuilding Together Community Warehouse, volunteer opportunities, or how your nonprofit or faith based organization can benefit directly please feel to contact Bill Kauffman at bkauffman@rebuildingtogether.org.

RTMC Volunteers Around the World: Where in the world is Rebuilding Together? We’re looking for pictures of you looking dashing on your vacation in RTMC attire. Post your pictures on our Facebook Page Where in the World is...RTMC? photo album or email them to Lane at lvanburen@rebuildingtogethermc.org and we’ll post them for you!

Facebook and Twitter: RTMC has adapted and expanded our online presence! Become a fan of our Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter (RTmoco) and keep up-to-date on the latest happenings at RTMC!

Fundraising Successes

RTMC is pleased to announce that the 11th Annual RTMC Golf Classic is receiving a successful response and has secured over $70,000 for RTMC to date. We still have room for 2 foursomes and many sponsorship opportunities. Join your fellow community leaders, promote your companies, and support RTMC through this tournament today! This tournament is presented by TW Perry, Monument Bank, and Bart & Associates. We extend many thanks to them for their leadership and thanks to all of our sponsors who make this possible.

RTMC received a total of $30,000 in grants from Raffa, Lowe’s Charitable Foundation, and Sears Holdings for projects on October 24th – Make a Difference Day. The US Administration on Aging has awarded RTMC a $5,000 grant to complete a project this fall which promotes falls prevention and accessibility for seniors. RTMC has partnered with Battley Harley Davidson in Gaithersburg to complete this project. For more information, contact Lee-Berkeley Shaw at lshaw@rebuildingtogethermc.org.

Many thanks to Faith United Methodist Church and Hughes United Methodist Church for their support this month – your gifts will help so many in need!

RT National News

36 New AmeriCorps Members: Rebuilding Together kicked off the second year of CapacityCorps in New Orleans with 36 new members, and expanding our impact through the 12 additional Green CapacityCorps members that will focus on energy efficiency, weatherization and green rehab programs. Thirty six full-time CapacityCorps members will serve in 31 Rebuilding Together affiliates in 19 states. (full story)

Fourth Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina: To commemorate the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Rebuilding Together teamed up with Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO), Sears and their Blue Appliance Crew, along with New Orleans resident and  football Hall of Famer Archie Manning and his wife Olivia, to restore two important properties in the historic Holy Cross neighborhood. (full story)

Upcoming Events + Volunteer Opportunities

11th Annual RTMC Golf Classic - October 12, 2009

To golf or to provide support the day of the event please contact Lee-Berkeley Shaw at lshaw@rebuildingtogethermc.org.

Specialized Task Forces - Fall + Winter 2009

This fall and winter RTMC is hosting a number of training opportunities for those interested in joining one of our new Specialized Task Forces or just wanting to learn new skills. The Specialized Task Forces give individuals more ways to volunteer throughout the year; RTMC may call on a certain team to take on a small standalone project or assist another project crew in its specialized area. If you are interested in joining one of the Specialized Task Forces below or would like more information please contact Lane Van Buren at lvanburen@rebuildingtogethermc.org.

Painting Team: Learn proper, healthy interior and exterior painting techniques from a professional painter.

Decluttering Team:  For anyone who likes to organize. Help out our many homeowners who don’t have the ability to keep up with daily household chores.

Handyman Team: Learn how to fix everything from a leaky faucet to an inoperable window from our on-staff handyman. Our “handymen” (who could also be women!) also do small accessibility modifications like installing shower grab bars.

Green Team: Learn responsible energy efficiency practices and home weatherization techniques that you could implement in your own home as well as the homes of our homeowners.

Garden Team: Calling all green thumbs! Many of our homeowners are cited by the city for unkept yards and many don’t have the resources to do the yard work themselves. Help with the clearing of overgrowth and enhance the curb appeal of our homeowner’s yards.

AmeriCorps Monthly Projects - Ongoing

Calling all high school and college students! Learn new skills, earn service learning credits for graduation, and help out a family in your community. RTMC is coordinating one rebuilding projects a month with local high school and college groups. Contact our AmeriCorps members, Lane Van Buren (lvanburen@rebuildingtogethermc.org) and Chris Somers (csomers@rebuildngtogethermc.org), for more information.

Ways to Support RTMC

Can't volunteer your time but still want to support RTMC? No problem! Our homeowners often times need help with more than just home repair. This month, considering supporting our fall projects by donating a gift card to RTMC from a home furnishing store.

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