Contributing Author: Ainsley MacDougal | ToolBank USA Summer Intern
Executive Director Rally – Cincinnati, OH
July 11-14
The ToolBank USA team is gearing up for the Executive Director Rally in Cincinnati on July 11-14. This exciting event, filled with opportunities for learning and networking, will bring together executive directors from nine of our affiliate ToolBanks. In addition to the important working and learning sessions on Friday and Saturday, we have some fun activities planned to foster camaraderie among our directors. ToolBank USA will be hosting a welcome happy hour at New Riff Distillery on Thursday night, and we’ll all be cheering on the Cincinnati Reds at a baseball game on Friday night, thanks to the generous gift of a corporate suite from PNC Bank. These moments of fun and connection are just as important as the work we do, and we’re excited to share them with you. Sessions will be led by some of those within the ToolBank network as well as a number of outside speakers, including guests from Turner Construction, OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence, and Mivie.
Percha sobre Ruedas
In the resilient town of Loiza, Puerto Rico, where 90% of residents live below the poverty line, and floods are a recurring challenge, the ‘Percha sobre Ruedas’ event was a beacon of hope. In May, our collective efforts provided health checkups, hair grooming, pet grooming, and overall disaster relief to the people of Loiza. The Puerto Rico ToolBank, in collaboration with Grainger, distributed disaster relief kits to attendees, equipping them to repair and prepare for future floods.
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:
Tools on Consignment: Atlanta ToolBank created a retail booth in partnership with North Fulton Community Charities as a supplement for our ToolRush program. The first month was a win for both organizations!
Baltimore ToolBank Update:
Mr. Trash Wheel Dumpster Dive: Baltimore ToolBank successfully hosted the 10th Annual Mr. Trash Wheel Dumpster Dive in collaboration with Volunteering Untapped Baltimore and Waterfront Partnership. We made a significant contribution to advocacy efforts by sorting trash- and had a fantastic time doing it! Watch a dumpster dive video we made!
Projects/volunteers: Baltimore ToolBank, with the help of volunteers from UPS, tackled some important projects. We built and branded 8 corn hole sets, paired hundreds of lone gloves, weeded our rain gardens (ironically, while it was raining), and labeled more than 1,000 reusable dishes, which will promote zero waste events! Large tasks like these would take ToolBank staff hours on end; we are thankful for our volunteers who speed things along tremendously.
Charlotte ToolBank Update:
ToolBanker of the Year: Charlotte ToolBank’s third ToolBanker of the Year Award goes to Tristan. This award is presented in honor of outstanding service to the ToolBank and the Charlotte charitable community. Tristan, thank you for your hugs, smiles, and willingness to give Maureen a break when she drops tool receipts…again! You changed the ToolBank for the better when you walked through our doors in 2019, and the Charlotte ToolBank will be forever grateful!
Some Feel-Good Material: If you need a little uplifter today, watch this joyous video of the United Way of Greater Charlotte playground build! Last month, Charlotte ToolBank tools were used to give Westerly Hills Elementary students a brand-new playground they designed themselves! It’s amazing to watch a compilation of volunteers working hard together for Westerly Hills Elementary students, and we are beyond proud to supply them with our blue tools!
A Month Full of Volunteers: Thank you to our many volunteers in May. We couldn’t have processed our orders without you. Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy helped process six huge return orders in record time and cleared room for our next set of returns. MSS Solutions, LLC came to the ToolBank to clean tables and check 75 tents for the ToolBank.
Cincinnati ToolBank Update:
UC Serves: Volunteers from UC Serves visited the Cincinnati ToolBank in May to assist with tent and wheelbarrow maintenance, painting, and order pulling. UC Serves volunteers at the ToolBank every year, and their ongoing support is highly appreciated. Volunteers like yours play a crucial role in helping ToolBanks maintain their extensive inventory of tools and equipment to support their communities.
Helpful Hands at Cincy ToolBank’s Campus: Maderia students spent their Day of Service with the ToolBank in May. The wonderful weather allowed them to landscape, pressure wash earthwork tools, and do outside clean-up. Our Cincinnati ToolBank has been completely rejuvenated since their visit. If you are interested in volunteering at the ToolBank or wish to get a team together to help out, visit the Cincinnati ToolBank’s website at www.cincinnatitoolbank.org.
2024 Summer Youth Manufacturing Exploration: Impact Agape, TechSolve, and the Cincinnati ToolBank are gearing up with local partners to bring you the 2024 Summer Manufacturing Exploration. The ToolBank will be leading five weeks of hands-on fun during which middle-school-aged youth will explore the ins and outs of Manufacturing, Trades, Art/Design, and Information Technology careers. We look forward to updating the ToolBank network in upcoming newsletters on how our Summer Manufacturing Exploration goes!
Houston ToolBank Update:
Texas Storm: Following the recent flooding in Texas, the Houston ToolBank has been making necessary adjustments to assist those affected. The American Red Cross donated 200 tarps, which the ToolBank will use to cover damaged homes. The ToolBank team is collaborating with the Lone Star Cowboy Church to rescue a home in the River Plantation neighborhood of Conroe, TX. To dry out the home, they have set up two dehumidifiers and three air-movers inside. Supplying these kinds of projects takes priority during times of strife and natural disaster.
Serving the Neurodiverse Community: The HUB Houston is an organization and high school that serves the Neurodiverse community in various ways. They do amazing work for Houston youth. ToolBank’s blue tools helped them rebuild some garden beds at their Galway Campus, and the team couldn’t be happier to supply what they needed. The Houston ToolBank helps organizations better allocate their time, energy, and money through tool rentals so they can focus on their cause and mission.
Houston Home Depot: Shout-out to the amazing team from The Home Depot Foundation that came out to the Houston ToolBank warehouse and built SIX picnic tables in May! #HoustonToolBank
New Neighborhood ToolBank: Our newest Tool Hub is open in Galveston. This achievement ensures that our current and potential partners in Galveston will have equal access to the Houston ToolBank’s resources to increase their capacity for community impact.
Magic City ToolBank Update:
ToolBank USA is proud to announce the launch of the new Magic City ToolBank in Birmingham, AL. One might ask themselves, “Why is this ToolBank in Birmingham called the Magic City ToolBank?” Well, it turns out Birmingham became known as the “Magic City” because it sprang into being “like magic,” growing to 4000 people by 1873. Also, the city of Birmingham was historically referred to as the “Magic City” because its soil contained the three necessary elements to produce iron: limestone, coal, and iron ore. We hope that you enjoyed those fun US History facts!
The Magic City ToolBank hired Clint Denson as executive director at the beginning of June, so he’s getting the tool lending program off and rolling. If you are in the Birmingham area or know people there, please pass this along, as we are seeking local supporters and board members.
New Orleans ToolBank Update:
Our New Orleans ToolBank Site Director, David Melancon, helped support their neighbors at Rebuilding Together New Orleans’ 5th Annual Build and Boil in late May. The Build and Boil, part community service day and part crawfish boil, celebrates our communities and helps support families in need. Volunteers assist homeowners with critical repairs, and boil teams will compete for a cause, all while helping to raise money for Rebuilding Together.
Our Rebuilding Together neighbors graciously allow the ToolBank to have a display at their event and promote our services to the local public that attends.
Phoenix ToolBank Update:
The Phoenix ToolBank has been Upgraded! Thanks to Tekline Electrical Services, Bill, our fix-it volunteer, now has a new 4-gang duplex receptacle in his workshop. This will make his tool-fixing projects both more efficient and safer. The Phoenix ToolBank team is always appreciative of the Phoenix business and community for helping keep our nonprofit operational.
Richmond ToolBank:
May was Event-Full: The Richmond ToolBank completed multiple fun events last month. On May 9th, they hosted a scavenger bike ride that brought Richmond together to decipher clues and complete challenges while biking. The team met new people, discovered hidden neighborhood gems, and worked well outdoors. A happy hour at the ToolBank warehouse made for a perfect reward after the hunt.
In an effort to create more green space in Richmond, a pop-up park was designed in Scott’s Addition on W Broad St. Streets, which was blocked off to showcase the potential natural space that would be added to the neighborhood. In partnership with the City of Richmond and RVA Connects, Richmond ToolBank hosted volunteer sessions to build picnic tables, park benches, planter benches, and other necessary items to transform an open space into an inviting park. Many thanks to the volunteers and preparations, the pop-up park was perfect for a Saturday afternoon of relaxation with friends.
Drywall Workshop: On May 28th, Richmond ToolBank hosted our Drywall Workshop –attendees learned how to drywall like a pro. Steffanie from Autum Hunger Design LLC shared her skills in hanging drywall, patching holes, taping, and mudding for a flawless finish. She also explained the proper tools and techniques for cutting, measuring, and fastening panels. This workshop was great for local DIY enthusiasts, new homeowners, or anyone who wanted to take on drywall projects. Richmond often hosts classes on electrical installation and more. If you’re in the Richmond area, be on the lookout for upcoming classes. It’s empowering to learn new skills!
Windy City ToolBank:
