ToolBank Disaster Services headed WEST…
ToolBank USA headed WEST in July…with the help of our supporters, UPS. Tools made their way Florida to California! Our disaster services team sent 6 pallets of tools to Eldorado County, California in response to the recent wildfires. These much needed tools will be in the hands of the victims to aid in rebuilding their homes and community. Bill Hess, our Disaster Services Program Manager, helped set up a mini Community Toolshed in collaboration with the West Slope Foundation. The West Slope Foundation helps those impacted by the Caldor Fire through financial aid and in-kind relief. The Toolshed is a program that provides fire survivors with access to tools and equipment. It is a lending resource available at no charge to the families rebuilding their homes and their lives following the devastating that swept the area in August of 2021. Stay tuned and check our social media channels for additional updates regarding our response to the recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. Our TDS team is currently on deployment for that natural disaster.
Puerto Rico continues to see volunteers…
After a fabulous June trip for the ToolBank team and affiliate executive directors, there is much more work to be done in Puerto Rico. Jaime Valle, TDS Puerto Rico Manager, has helped finish up some of the projects that needed completed at our 4 project homes. Along with those projects, our friends at Iniciativa Comunitaria hosted a group of volunteers from Phillips High School in Washington DC and utilized ToolBank tools for their efforts. These student volunteers helped with cleanup and renovations on a building that will be part of the Brega Bien program to support at-risk youths in the community.
Atlanta ToolBank Update:
The Atlanta ToolBank’s CJ Clark teamed up with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. CJ spent the morning at BBBS at their Back to School Event. BBBS served hundreds of area youths at this event and the ToolBank was able to distribute 150 kids build kits to those that attended. Sending out a huge thank you to The Home Depot Foundation for providing us with these build kits and making our ToolLab Kids program possible!
Baltimore ToolBank Update:
Our Baltimore ToolBank had an extremely busy July! They ended their 10th anniversary celebration month in style with a combined volunteer project featuring young leaders from Break A Difference’s and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield associates! 330 shovels painted, 150 playground blocks cleaned, 8 berry bushes planted, 350 pairs of gloves matched, 80 hours of service logged…all while making lasting connections during volunteering. Also, in mid-July Baltimore hosted Jim Flory, Windy City ToolBank’s executive director. Jim was able to learn some tricks of the trade, share ideas, and help pull tool orders with Baltimore’s executive director, Noah Smock. If you’re in the Baltimore area, save the date for their Hammers & Ales on Saturday, October 15!
Charlotte ToolBank Update:
July at the Charlotte ToolBank means LOVE Week with Elevation Outreach. This year’s LOVE Week served 7 campuses with 37 tool orders totaling 1,106 individual items borrowed for community projects. Absolutely massive volunteer week for the Charlotte area that would not be possible without ToolBank tools. Also, in Charlotte, sharing is caring…executive director, Maureen Krueger, shipped 168 tent weight bags to the Phoenix ToolBank! This extremely heavy shipment was made possible by the support of our friends at UPS. Thank you for helping our ToolBanks share resources! If you’re in the Charlotte area, save the date for their Hammers & Ales on Thursday, October 13!
Cincinnati ToolBank Update:
Cincinnati made a very special delivery in July…they dropped off an awesome custom trophy to Brewers Philanthropy Award Winner, Brink Brewing Company. Field trips seemed to be the theme of the ToolBank’s month as they hosted their board meeting at board vice president, Mandi Rassel’s company. Mandi’s team at Bilstein provided the board with a fabulous tour of their facility that showcased incredible levels of technology and efficiency in their massive warehouse. The tour definitely provided some inspiration for the ToolBank warehouse processes. Thank you again, Mandi and Bilstein! Cincinnati is very lucky to have the level of board leadership where they want to share the ToolBank with their organizations. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, save the date for their Hammers & Ales on Saturday, October 8!
Houston ToolBank Update:
The Houston ToolBank hosted a very special guest at their warehouse, State Representative Ana Hernandez stopped by for a visit. Hernandez introduced the ToolBank to the Magnolia Park / Pineview Place Civic Center. Can’t wait to see what will come from these 2 organizations collaborating! Houston also hosted the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This group of volunteers build fold-away desks for underserved schools in the area. The ToolBank stepped up their disaster preparedness game with a donation of 200 extension ladders from AT&T. These ladders will be a critical resource for disaster recovery needs across Southeast Texas. The Houston ToolBank is hosting their Tool Trot September 1-12. This event promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging participants to get outdoors and be active as everyone works towards a collective goal of completing 2500 miles over the 12 day period. If you’re local to Houston, swing by the ToolBank for a trash grabber and cleanup supplies so you can also cleanup your community while getting in your steps!
Phoenix ToolBank Update:
Our ToolBanks are always looking to expand their inventory with new and exciting tools…Phoenix is no different and along with their awesome hotdog cart, they’ve added another tool to their arsenal. That new tool is a T-SHIRT LAUNCHER! We can’t wait to see all the organizations that borrow this for their fundraisers, festivals, community gatherings, and so much more!
Along with their super cool inventory addition, the Phoenix ToolBank hosted their Bowling for Change event. This event was back in person after a 2 year COVID break. There were 12 teams competing for custom upcycled tool themed trophies. Check out some of the pictures from their event to the right of this article!
Richmond ToolBank
- 42 teams (120 builders) built 9 trash huts, 15 picnic tables, and 30 park benches for JRPS
- 6 awesome bands rocked on 2 stages for 5 hours
- 1,300 folks visited the evenet throughout the day to listen to great music, enjoy great beer, and support Richmond parks & public places
- 75 Event Volunteers helped set up, pour beer, support event functions, and pack it all up
- 12 incredible sponsors supported us with the cash to buy materials, pay the bills, and make RVA’s only Party with a Purpose admission-free. Without them, the Richmond ToolBank could not host Hammers & Ales
Windy City ToolBank
It’s been an exciting few months for our Windy City ToolBank…but nothing is more thrilling for Jim Flory and his board leadership to move into their new warehouse! They’ve been working hard to establish their roots in Chicago and have a number of large scale volunteer projects on the books. Our ToolBank USA team members, Bill Hess and Jaime Valle, will be joining Jim to help with The Mission Continues – Operation Chi-Town Salute.
