TOOLBANK NETWORK NEWS – JUNE 2022

Puerto Rico, Here We Come!

The ToolBank USA team and a number of our affiliate executive directors will be traveling to Puerto Rico the week of June 20th. Jaime Valle, our TDS Puerto Rico Program Manager, has helped our team identify 4 homes in need of repairs. We will be working with 45 Team Depot volunteers at the properties for 3 days. Their donation made this project possible by covering the cost of supplies and some additional tools/equipment for MU3 that will benefit the island’s long-term recover efforts for years to come.

Stay tuned for next month’s Puerto Rico update…we can’t wait to share the good work we’re doing!

ToolBank Disaster Services in New Orleans is off and rolling!

Our ToolBank Disaster Services team in New Orleans headed up by Dan Melia was able to participate in Rebuilding Together New Orleans 3rd Annual Build and Boil on Saturday, May 14th. The event brings together two great traditions, volunteering to help families in need with critical home repairs and eating crawfish! This block party showcased some great New Orleans live music, games, competitions, and other fun activities.

The ToolBank New Orleans warehouse is located right in-between Rebuilding Together New Orleans and the Green Project. If you’re in the area, stop by and visit us and see how we’re helping those impacted Hurricane Ida and the recent tornadoes that have affected the area.

ToolBank Disaster Services + Wildfires

If you didn’t have a chance to check out ToolBank USA’s Chief Program Officer, Trey Bearden, appearance on the How To Disaster podcasts, we’d highly recommend it! And let’s face it…if you don’t have time to watch the whole episode, check out our BLOG that breaks the podcast topics down into every few minutes. We’re looking forward to sharing our plan for expanding our TDS assistance to those areas impacted by the recent wildfires. There is a lot for us to learn, so we sent some of our team to California in May to attend an event with After the Fire. Our group was able to see communities that were devastated by wildfires and we are now putting a plan in place to support these communities. We look forward to sharing updates and progress out West for long-term wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts.

Atlanta ToolBank Update:

The Atlanta ToolBank is in full swing with their Youth Summer Series. This program focuses on the introduction to tool use and safety through interactive project-based learning. It is used to inspires an appreciation for tools, their uses, and possibilities for a career in the trades industry for low-income and inner-city youth. The series provides virtual and in-person opportunities for organizations, school groups, and summer camps to reserve an experience to fit any schedule.

Baltimore ToolBank Update:

The Baltimore ToolBank had a busy month with volunteers in May. They hosted groups from Annie E. Casey Foundation and Johns Hopkins University. Their volunteers paired, dried, folded, cleaned, organized tarps, gloves, playground blocks and more! The group from Johns Hopkins University’s Investment Office kicked off with an intro to what the Baltimore ToolBank provides to the local community then got down to work. Hours later, they’d helped pair 82 gloves, clean 62 playground blocks and 106 tables. Sometimes it isn’t the most glamorous jobs, but the ones that make the biggest impact to help our ToolBanks run efficiently.

Charlotte ToolBank Update:

Maureen and the Charlotte ToolBank had the opportunity to join TowneBank at their Ballantyne branch opening. Their board member, Ben Mears, helped lead the event to launch the new location. The events were capped off by a very generous donation to the ToolBank in the amount of $25,000! What an incredible investment from TowneBank to their local ToolBank.

Cincinnati ToolBank Update:

One of the largest volunteer events in Cincinnati is on the horizon and our Cincinnati ToolBank is proud to be a part of the projects for this year’s Reds Community Makeover in the village of Lincoln Heights. The project includes support and volunteers from P&G, The Cincinnati Zoo, Children’s Hospital, GE, OneSource Center, the Duke Energy Foundation, and SonLight Power. You may recall that ToolBank USA worked on a project in Puerto Rico at the beginning of the year with SonLight Power. Great crossover ToolBank story! Check out this great article highlighting this year’s impacted community and their big plans for this year’s project.

If you’re interested in ToolBank events in Cincinnati, be sure to check out their 10th Anniversary Party on Monday, August 8 and Hammers & Ales on Saturday, October 8.

Cincinnati ToolBank - Reds Community Makeover

Houston ToolBank Update:

Who doesn’t love a time-lapse video?!? The Houston ToolBank is doing incredible work in their surrounding communities with their Tool Hubs. It doesn’t hurt that each of the Hubs are so nicely decorated and packed with necessary tools for volunteer projects in the community. These Hubs were made possible by the funding provided by Bank of America and our conveniently located to make it easier for the Houston ToolBank to get the tools needed to your project site. Check out this awesome time-lapse video of the Conroe Neighborhood Tool Hub to the right!

Phoenix ToolBank Update:

The Phoenix ToolBank spent a lovely and inspiring morning at Valley of the Sun United Way‘s breakfast as they welcomed United Way Worldwide CEO to share more about their future. The bonus to attending was seeing Phoenix ToolBank “tools” in action to support a local nonprofit. Our ToolBanks are stocked up with special event equipment: tables, chairs, barstools, traffic control equipment, A/V systems, and so much more for local nonprofit fundraisers and events! These “tools” may not help plant trees or build a playground, but they sure do save our member agencies money that they are able to put back directly to their missions.

Richmond ToolBank

The Greater Richmond Association for Commercial Real Estate (GRACE) hosted a ‘Pop-Up’ networking event at the Richmond ToolBank. They had a great time networking with their fellow members and learning more about the ToolBank. The ToolBank followed up their networking event with volunteers from CarMax that built picnic tables for YMCA of Greater Richmond summer camps.

Windy City ToolBank

Jim Flory and the Windy City ToolBank board is currently reviewing a lease for our first warehouse facility! Very exciting things to come in Chicago. Jim met with the Rebuilding Exchange and Chicago Cares for partnership opportunities. They also brought on 2 new Board members: Leah Lawson, Director of Resource Development with Angelic Organics, and Cal Payne, Senior VP for the CBRE Real Estate Group. Welcome to the ToolBank network and we look forward to more exciting news out of our newest ToolBank!