TOOLBANK NETWORK NEWS – APRIL 2022

Our partners at The Home Depot Foundation highlighted Atlanta’s very own CJ Clark, Facility and Training Center Manager, during its Women in Construction Week. The Home Depot Foundation celebrated the talented and hardworking women who continue to break barriers in the skilled trades industry. CJ works with young women to help train the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Her mission is to raise awareness for the opportunities in the industry and teach girls that skilled trades can be a meaningful career path for them. During CJ’s interview, she said “For young women that are interested in the skilled trades or home improvement, don’t let anyone intimidate you or tell you you’re not allowed to do something like this. Don’t be shy to use your hands and tools.” We couldn’t agree with you more, CJ! Keep up the incredible work for the Atlanta ToolBank!

The Baltimore ToolBank assisted with two big projects with Break a Difference in March. They delivered 13 picnic tables to 3 Baltimore City public schools. These tables were built in December, by volunteers from Break A Difference and Chase Bank. Working with contacts at Baltimore City Schools, these groups were able to donate and deliver the tables to Joseph C. Briscoe Academy, Arundel Elementary School, and Reginald F. Lewis High School to enhance outdoor eating options for students. Many thanks to Break A Difference for coordinating a service project with student leaders from Washington Adventist University. The ToolBank equipped the volunteers with blue tools and upcycled scrap wood into planter boxes that will be donated to partners to create more space for beautiful native plants in Baltimore.

The Charlotte ToolBank hosted a number of volunteer events in March. Some of the most notable groups came from corporate partners and member agencies at Clancy & Theys Construction Company, Myers Park UMC Youth, Leadership Charlotte, The Beck Group, and Trinity Episcopal School. The Beck Group spend their day building cornhole boards to add to the Charlotte ToolBank’s inventory. We really enjoy seeing all of the collaboration efforts between our affiliates and their corporate and member agency partners.

Check out Cincinnati BCS Tractor at work in the images to the right! The Cincinnati ToolBank crew helped lay out a really amazing butterfly-shaped pollinator garden at John P. Parker Elementary School. The ToolBank also supported two large scale public events during March. The first was Bockfest, the annual celebration of bock beer, Cincinnati’s brewing heritage, and the coming of Spring. The ToolBank was able to supply this super fun festival with event safety equipment. The second event was the 2022 Neighborhood Summit hosted by Invest in Neighborhoods. Invest in Neighborhoods empowers community councils and their resident members, volunteers, and related community organizations to contribute to civic life and advance the quality of life in Cincinnati’s neighborhoods, by increasing capacities and competencies, assisting with resources, and promoting civic engagement. All of the tables and chairs for the summit were provided by the ToolBank.

If you’re interested in ToolBank events in Cincinnati, be sure to check out their Par-Tee Golf Outing on Friday, June 10 or their 10th Anniversary Party on Thursday, August 4.

The Phoenix ToolBank helped coordinate and host a very successful, first ever, Community Yard Sale. Social Spin Laundromat provided their location to help host the event in collaboration with Justa Center, Maricopa County Public Health, Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Cancer Support Community Arizona, NourishPHX, Chicanos Por La Causa – CPLC, and more. This event features 10+ nonprofit vendors, food, games, interactive art exhibits and vital services, such as free COVID vaccinations, and eye care. The local community was able to take advantage of some great deals at the Yard Sale…and pick up some high quality tools from the ToolBank at a discounted price. Also, it sounds like the Phoenix ToolBank’s famous hotdog cart was put to work to give some of the shoppers a snack while they browsed the sale!

The Richmond ToolBank launched a brand new website in March! Check their new site out at: https://www.richmondtoolbank.org/. The new site looks great and we love the way the home page header video truly highlights the incredible work your ToolBank does for the community and the vast inventory of tools in your warehouse.

Richmond also announced the return of RVA’s only Hammers & Ales – PARTY WITH A PURPOSE! Save the date: Saturday, June 11 and join the ToolBank crew on Brown’s Island for a community celebration of Richmond’s parks, public places, and the people that make them thrive. Party with a Purpose will include team volunteer projects, local brews, and live music. Rally your team to help build new park benches, picnic tables, and trash huts for the amazing James River Park System. Throughout the day enjoy live music on two stages, games & educational activities, outreach with local environmental organizations and of course, amazing beer from Väsen Brewing.

The Windy City ToolBank launched a couple social media channels and was able to get their website up and running. Please make sure and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. The search for their warehouse continues. If you have any member agencies that are also connected to the Chicago area, please shoot him an email at james.flory@toolbank.org to see how the Windy City ToolBank can help their volunteer and event efforts.