Rebuilding Together had the pleasure of working with Bike & Build on a project in August. Bike & Build, a non-profit based in Philadelphia, was founded in 2003 to help on affordable housing projects. Bike & Build groups volunteer on community projects throughout the country.
Our 25 member passionate group started its ride in Oregon and was working its way to Bellingham after stops in Port Orchard, Tacoma, Olympia, Seattle, etc. to help build and repair homes. Our volunteers haled from all over the country including Texas, Massachusetts, New York, and Michigan. They were very interested in what our community was doing to preserve and provide affordable housing, address homelessness, and what RTTC was specifically doing to help the community. The enthusiastic group painted, washed windows, and removed blackberries and overgrown vegetation from Paul’s home in an amazing one day flurry of activity.
On two other days, seasoned RTTC volunteers pressure washed the home and driveway, installed grab bars, mowed the yard, and completed minor home repairs. Flying Colors donated a team of painters to paint the second story areas of Paul’s home (thank you!). A grant from the City of Olympia made all of this possible for Paul and RTTC. Paul’s painful back issues and limited mobility preclude him from maintaining his property, so our efforts made a tremendous difference in protecting and preserving his home. Great teamwork!