Rebuilding Day 2025 By Tim Clarke

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On April 26, 2025, Rebuilding Together had its annual Rebuilding Day, the signature event of the year. Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities is an affiliate of the national organization Rebuilding Together Inc and is composed of a volunteer board that organizes and operates the year-round programs that assists homeowners in maintaining and preserving their homes in our mountain communities.

For this Rebuilding Day, of the 120 people that had signed up 84 came out in spite of the cold, wet weather to give of their time to help others and bring renewed faith that there are those in our community who care about them. It is the mission of Rebuilding Together to help homeowners stay warm, safe and dry in their homes without the worries of home repairs weighing on their minds. The group was able to do 5 homes this year, but because of a reduced budget we had only two homes that were able to have both contractor-trade repairs and non-trade volunteers doing yard cleanup. Three of the homes were outside cleanups only. At the dinner that evening the smiles on the trades and non-trades people were just as big as ever and that feeling of doing good for others warmed their hearts. The Mountain Sunrise Rotary has provided the spaghetti dinner at the end of the work day for many years and have been a constant source of support.

To all those who participated on Rebuilding Day, donated and supported us, we say thank you to all, but I think the words of one of those who have benefited from your work said it best, “Until I came to the mountains, I just never knew that there were people like this who would help me so much”.

To all those who came out, young, or merely young at heart, and to those community volunteers who started this work 31 years ago we say, “Thank You”!

THE BIG DAY APPROACHES By Tim Clarke

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April’s big day is soon upon us. Oh, not those big days, I’m talking about April 26th Rebuilding Day! Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities has worked, worried, and waited all year for this our 31st Rebuilding Day that’s now just a few weeks away.

All those that volunteer are privileged to be able to lift the weight of delayed or out-of-reach home repairs for others. In turn, we are enriched by our gift of time helping neighbors stay safe warm and dry in their own homes. It’s a “Good Thing” as Martha Stewart would say.

If you have always wanted to participate in this mountain institution or are a loyal supporter it’s time to sign up, and it’s so easy. Merely click the “Rebuilding Day Volunteer Application” button on the right and sign up. If all else fails, you can call 909-336-3910 and go analog.

If you can’t participate for whatever reason you can help by contributing to us electronically or by snail mail at the address below or web site.

This year has been a tough year for all of us and the organizations we support, and we are no exception. We have had to start a waiting list for emergency repairs until we can get additional funding for it, for the first time since the program was started. We are hoping for some corporate and or trust funding to come thru later in the year and we can restart this important program.

So, let’s come together to support those things that make a difference to ordinary people.

You can reach us at:

RTMC

P.O. Box 3540

Blue Jay, CA 92317

909-336-3910

info@rtmc.build

See you on April 26th

WE ARE NOT ALONE WHEN WE HOLD HANDS By Tim Clarke

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Our mountain communities have traditionally been a community that sticks together and gives a helping hand to those who need it. With the existence of groups like Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities, community help has been channeled to those in need.

Since 1994 we have assisted hundreds of homeowners in need, to stay in their own homes, safe, warm and dry.

With a little over 2 months to go until Rebuilding Day on April 26th, we need to sign up and organize trade and non-trade volunteers to create another successful Rebuilding Day. So, if you have friends, coworkers, church groups, families, students or anyone wanting to give back to the community sign up at the ‘sign-up’ button above or call 909-336-3910.

Now, if you don’t know what Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities is all about we are but one of over 150 non-profit affiliates of a national organization based in Washington D C. Our goal is to assist low-income neighbors who can neither afford or physically perform repairs to their homes and restore dignity and pride of place in our mountain communities. Volunteers and recipients alike benefit from this one-day gift of labor and the outstretched hands of thanks are welcomed into the work worn hands of these volunteers.

So come out and join us on the last Saturday in April as a volunteer or show your support in the form of a donation.

Contact us at:

info@rtmc.build

909-336-3910

RTMC, P.O.Box 3540 Blue Jay Ca. 92317

Thank You

LET’S GET THE 2024 REBUILDING DAY ORGANIZED By TIM CLARKE

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Calling all contractors who are interested in helping with Rebuilding Day 2024. To ensure success, it is our requirement that house captains be licensed contractors. With our sometime unique building methods that have been used over the years in mountain buildings, it takes a pro to tackle them. As well as house captains, we need strong non-trade coordinators to work with the army of civic minded volunteers. Both positions require patience and commitment. Of course, the great surge you get in your heart is issued free of charge at the end of the day. So, if you’re looking to replenish those feelings of comradeship and fraternity and public service, call us and reserve your space for April 27th, 2024, Rebuilding Day.

We realize that as we get older our ability to work like we once did may abandon us though we still have the desire. So, remember to encourage younger family and friends of the beauty of giving of your time to others. And of course, there is always the power of the checkbook to make things happen.

Always remember giving our time is the greatest gift of all.

Contact us at:

Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities

P.O. Box 3540

Blue Jay Ca 92317

909-336-3910

REBUILDING TOGETHER NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT BY Tim Clarke

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Archimedes said, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it and I shall move the world”. Well, give Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities enough contributions and community support and we can change the lives of homeowners in need to stay warm safe and dry in their own homes. Now in our 30th year of service to our neighbors, we come to our neighbors for help to continue the work needed by so many. To those who have contributed already, we appreciate the generous support.

Now is the time to step up and send in the needed contributions to help so many in need. Rebuilding Day is the signature event of RTMC, but more is spent on Emergency Repairs each year than Rebuilding Day. From water heaters, whole house heaters, and essential appliances we do these and many more 365 days a year. For the many people we have helped over the years we take great satisfaction. Best of all is to help a helper in our community who has given to the community in so many ways over the years. Thank you all for allowing us to give and get back great satisfaction in return.

Preserving the unique quality of life in our mountain communities is so important in this time of division. To keep our grip on faith and community no matter our beliefs or lifestyle makes us a stronger community. More than once when I have met someone from the city who is planning a visit to one of our towns, I feel obligated to tell them, “Don’t be surprised that people will wave at you while you are out walking or say hello how are you today do you need directions”. Let’s not lose the things that seem so strange to outsiders. Keep caring for each other.

Contact us at:

RTMC

P.O. Box 3540

Blue Jay Ca. 92317

909-336-3910

House Sponsors Needed

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The home selections for Rebuilding Day 2023 are complete and the notifications will be going out after the first of the new year. To make those wishes come true on April 29, we could use some House Sponsors and the helping hands of our local contractors. So, currently we welcome the help of individuals, groups, businesses, or organizations to sponsor a home on Rebuilding Day. Not everyone can swing a hammer or pull a rake, but some can afford to draw a pen across a check. For a donation of $1500, you can be recognized as a home sponsor, although any amount is welcome. The past few years have been hard for all of us, with multi viruses attacking many and turning the world upside down. Remember though, Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities has continued through these crises and beyond for the past 29 years to keep our neighbors in need warm, safe, and dry in their own homes.

While Rebuilding Day on the last Saturday in April each year is probably the most recognizable program for Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities, our year- round Emergency Repair program helps more homeowners at least 5 to 1. The emergency repairs are done under the same parameters as Rebuilding Day and are restricted to those who are low-income homeowners. Emergency repairs are performed by paid contractors without the volunteer element of Rebuilding Day making them more expensive. We have replaced water heaters, home heaters, dealt with sewer problems, roof repairs and many more which usually occur at the start of the winter months.

Finally, we have a home modification program where bathroom safety grab bars are installed. This service is open to any homeowner, regardless of income, to give those with stability problems a helping hand.

RTMC board of directors wishes all of you a happy holiday.

RTMC

P.O. BOX 3540

Blue Jay CA. 92317