Tools Heading West…
More tools headed out west in the month of May. Bill Hess, Director of ToolBank Disaster Services, packed up MU8 to aid our long-term recovery efforts in the Sacramento area. Wildfires, floods, and earthquakes have impacted this area for years and our tools will be on the ground ready to help.
One of the organizations ToolBank has been working closely with is The West Slope Foundation in Somerset, CA. Our team assisted in setting up their tool library to help rebuilding efforts after the Caldor Fire in 2021. The Grizzly Flats area lost over 400 homes during the fire. The fire caused over $1.2 billion in damages and burned for nearly 3 months. ToolBank and ToolBank Disaster Services looks forward to growing our presence out west and if a few things fall into place, we should have our very own warehouse in Sacramento very soon.
Check out what’s going on at each of our ToolBanks across the nation. Scroll down to each affiliate and expand the text block to read more about your favorite ToolBank team. All of our affiliates are doing amazing work and we can’t wait to share their updates with you monthly.
Make sure and scroll through the images to the right of our affiliate updates. Most of the updates come with a couple of images related to their article.
Atlanta ToolBank Update:
The Atlanta ToolBank hosted it’s Boards & BBQ event on Saturday, May 20th. This fundraising cornhole tournament features tasty BBQ from Fox Bros Bar-B-Q, beer from Elsewhere Brewing, and specialty cocktails from ASW Distillery.
Also, if you’re in the Atlanta area, stop by the ToolBank for their Summer ToolRush sale on Saturday, July 8 from 9:00am – 3:00pm. You’ll be able to shop from an inventory of thousands of new and gently-used tools, equipment, accessories and gardening and landscaping supplies at 50% off retail value or more! You will find amazing deals and 100% of everything you spend directly and immediately keeps local volunteers equipped with ToolBank tools, completing projects in the Atlanta community.
Baltimore ToolBank Update:
The Baltimore Community ToolBank has engaged 225 unique volunteers in their work since the beginning of the year through the end of May. This includes 16 unique corporate and higher education groups. Along with individual volunteers, the total time volunteered at the Baltimore ToolBank is 751.55 hours! Looking ahead to projects in June, July and August, they will likely double these numbers, as four large projects are already on the books! Volunteers provide the power to keep all tools clean, sharp and ready for partners and grounds maintained at optimal levels, including sizable rain gardens that help divert stormwater pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Charlotte ToolBank Update:
In one day, the Charlotte ToolBank team sent out 19 orders and took in 10 orders returns…that is 1,405 items serving 27 organizations! Talk about a busy day in May! Not only did their team have one of the busiest days of the month, but they also wrapped up their huge ToolRush sale that spanned 3 days, engaged 34 volunteers, and served 309 customers…all while raising money for the ToolBank’s mission.
On top of all this…the team hosted 6 volunteer groups from their loyal corporate supporters and took a day to have a planning session for the future of the Charlotte ToolBank! Unbelievable month, Charlotte…keep up the great work and continue to plan for your incredible growth.
Cincinnati ToolBank Update:
The Cincinnati ToolBank equipped one of the largest volunteer efforts in the city during the month of May. The Mayor’s Corporate Challenge is a day that corporations across the Tristate come and volunteer with the Cincinnati Parks. For the last 16 years, thousands of volunteers have joined Cincinnati Parks in the Mayor’s Corporate Challenge workday in accomplishing projects that are vital to the Parks’ maintenance. Groups of many sizes and abilities perform important conservation and beautification tasks across the city. Examples of work include:
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Mulching tree beds and playgrounds
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Planting trees and annuals
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Horticulture maintenance
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Invasive species and brush removal
Roughly 645 volunteers came out to mulch, plant, and remove invasive species with the help of Cincinnati ToolBank tools!
Houston ToolBank Update:
The Houston ToolBank team spent the day volunteering at one of their most active member agencies in May. They had an awesome time helping at the Santa Maria Hostel. The Santa Maria Hostel has utilized ToolBank tools and equipment for 118 of their projects, placed blue tools into the hands of 1,403 of volunteers, and shared 3,723 tools valued at $73,882!
Not only has the Houston ToolBank team been spending some of their free time volunteering, but so has their board member and loyal volunteers. Board Member Claudia and volunteer Linda received the Volunteer Houston Spotlight Awards at the Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony. What an honor to have two members of the ToolBank support team recognized by the Mayor!
If you’re in the Houston area…mark your calendars!
On September 21st, the Houston ToolBank will be hosting its first Axes & Aces Charity Poker Tournament! Your ticket includes entry into the tournament, food, adult beverages and loads of fun with friends of the ToolBank. There will be a ton of great prizes and a chance to rebuy-in.
Phoenix ToolBank Update:
When you have a small staff sometimes you need some extra hands to keep your warehouse and tools looking sharp! The Phoenix ToolBank was very busy in the month of May not only with orders but with lots of extra hands that helped us organize and clean up the warehouse. Thanks to our corporate partners and supporters the Phoenix ToolBank welcomed over 90 corporate volunteers from APS, Ready Logistics, Charles Schwab and more who were ready to roll up their sleeves, get dirty (and a little hot) in support of “tools for change”! These volunteers cleaned tools, inventory management control, paired gloves, and reorganized the warehouse.
Phew, what a busy month, but it was so needed after our hectic spring! Volunteers helped us ensure tools were cleaned, accounted for and in working condition for our member agencies. Now, the ToolBank is ready for fall (and cooler temps already…..oh and hopefully a working A/C unit very soon)! If you’re in the Phoenix area or planning a trip and want to visit the ToolBank, don’t come now…but join the Phoenix team in November for our 9th Annual Hammers & Ales on November 2nd!
Richmond ToolBank
The Richmond ToolBank spent the majority of their May prepping from their big June 10th Hammers & Ales event. Even with all of this prep work going on for their fundraiser, their team was still able to host 45 volunteers at their warehouse, build 13 picnic tables, and 4 garden beds. Looking forward to updating everyone on Richmond’s Hammers & Ales event in the next newsletter…from what we’ve seen it was an incredibly successful event!
Windy City ToolBank
The Windy City ToolBank was featured in Bob Beneson’s Local Food Forum Blog post titled: It’s a Non-Profit Kind of May Day. Bob attended the ToolBank Grand Opening Celebration. Many thanks to Bob for featuring the ToolBank!
HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: The Windy City ToolBank will be closed the week of July 3 – July 7 in observation of the 4th of July holiday. Please send us your tool orders the week of June 26 and we will include an additional week to your borrowed tool order to account for the holiday.
