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Tag Archive: Community

National Rebuilding Together Day

April 7, 2023

Rebuilding Together Muscatine County is looking for volunteers for National Rebuilding Together Day.

Our mission – Revitalizing communities, and rebuilding lives.
Our vision – Safe homes and communities for everyone.
Why? Because It Just Needs Done.

Your volunteering helps make it possible for some of our neighbors to live safer, more healthy lives.

If you are interested, please visit this link to fill out the volunteer waiver. https://rebuildingtogethermuscatine.org/waiver-of-liability/
It is also possible to fill out this form on-site that morning.

We will meet at our office on the morning of April 29, between 6:30 and 7:00 am to sign in, and receive shirts, instructions, and of course donuts and coffee, before going to the job sites at 8:00.

RTMC provides water, a mid-morning snack, and lunch delivered to the site by Pizza Ranch.

Job times on that day will vary, with most being finished by the early afternoon. Stay as long as you are able.

No special skills are required. Only a willingness to help.

Volunteers may be from the age of 14 and up.

Thank you again, Rebuilding Together could not do what we do for our community without your help.

Thank you!

April 28, 2021

May be an image of text that says 'thanh you you'

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We at RTMC cannot thank this community enough!
Around 75 of our friends and neighbors spent much of their day volunteering on Saturday helping out others in our community.
Perfect weather helped us to be able to complete all the projects we had scheduled that day.
Keep an eye out for all the pictures that will be coming soon, and THANK YOU!

Rebuilding Together in Muscatine!

February 23, 2021

Thank you to the fine folks at Sunny Brook for allowing us to benefit from their creative fundraising efforts!

Rebuilding Together Muscatine County was the recipient of the fundraising efforts of Sunnybrook at Muscatine Assisted Living.

Sunny Brook held a drive-thru
“Lunch for a Cause”

Community members helped local residents in need of assistance by enjoying a lasagna dinner.

Rebuilding Together is Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives.

Because “It Just Needs Done”.

A Great Partnership!

October 22, 2020

When the Covid 19 quarantine began, everything, everywhere, came to a screeching halt.

Everything except need.

Need never takes a break.

One thing that the quarantine did very quickly, was to magnify where the need was the largest.

They called it “Food insecurities”.

feedingamerica.org defines food insecurities as “a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is one way we can measure and assess the risk of hunger.”

With all businesses closed, and the inability to leave their homes, those affected, found themselves in worse condition than they were in before.

Rebuilding Together Muscatine County, like everyone else, had their ability to serve as usual, curtailed.

Rebuilding Together Muscatine County’s Executive Director, Frank Iliff, heard of this major need.

Looking to continue serving in the community, because “It Just Needs Done”, he began to seek where he could be the most help to the community.

Through his connections with United Way, he found that he could help in food delivery around town, redistributing overstock from HyVee and other local merchants to local food pantries.

MCSA, The Salvation Army food pantries have benefited from these deliveries, and many families have been helped through these efforts.

This Saturday, another opportunity will be made available to the public.

Rebuilding Together Muscatine County will partner with MCSA and the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box initiative.

All the details you need are as follows.

‼️ THIS SATURDAY – OCTOBER 24 ‼️

Spread the word!

MCSA will be hosting a Free Food Box Distribution on Saturday 10/24.

Come get yours!

Locations & Times for Box Pick-Up:10am – 1pm.

Staff and volunteers will set up distribution stations at the following areas:

  • Ripley’s Mobile Home Park in main parking lot
  • Van Acker’s/L&B/Gaslight Mobile Home Parks in main parking lot
  • M&W Mobile Home Park along entry road
  • Louisa Court Mobile Home Park along entry road
  • Downtown Muscatine in Richie Sound & Lights Parking Lot 818 E 8th St
  • MCSA at 312 Iowa Ave

1pm – 4pm: Open community distribution at Crossroads, 1424 Houser Street.

This location is for folks who did not visit one of the other sites.

Please SHARE to get the word out to our community!

RTMC, National Rebuilding Day, and COVID-19

March 17, 2020

To all Rebuilding Together Muscatine County Volunteers and Family,

As we approach our annual event, National Rebuilding Day (NRD), scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25, we must use caution.  We are closely monitoring recommendations from Iowa Gov. Reynolds as to how we can help reduce the chances of spreading the Coronavirus. At this point, all area restaurants, bars, and places of entertainment have been closed to prevent gathering. Area schools are closed for the next month, and many other businesses may soon follow.

It is with the safety of our volunteer family, as well as our clients that the advisory board has implemented the following changes for NRD 2020:

  • Work will only proceed with the homeowner’s approval, which may be removed due to increased risk as time passes. If the homeowner is uncomfortable, we will reschedule for a later date.
  • All volunteers will receive a medical screening on the day work is to be completed. Volunteers who are found to pose a potential risk will be thanked, provided a donut, and sent home.
    • Screenings will include temperature and a questionnaire, as well as any additional information the medical team deems necessary.
  • Workgroups will be assigned in groups of 6-8 to accommodate the under 10 per gathering recommendation. This number will include the House Captain.
  • Volunteers will be assigned a check-in time, group check-ins will be staggered to allow for medical screenings, and to accommodate the small gathering requirements.
  • No volunteers will have direct contact with any homeowner at any time.
  • No volunteer will enter the resident at any time. All of the approved projects are accessibility ramps, therefore the work will be outside.
  • All ramps will be cleaned and sanitized before the workgroup leaving for the day.
  • All of these regulations are subject to change as more information is made available, including the potential to cancel or postpone the projects.

Due to the changes that are being set in place for 2020, our NRD will look different than in years past. Additionally, our volunteer force will need to accommodate. Within our smaller workgroups, we would like to ask returning volunteers and skilled builders who are willing to assist when needed.

For more information on how to volunteer, or with questions over the procedures in place, visit https://rebuildingtogethermuscatine.org/

Thank you for your understanding and overwhelming support over the years,

-RTMC Advisory Board

Our Days Made Sweeter

June 20, 2019

Here at Rebuilding Together Muscatine County,

we do what we do,

Because It Just Needs Done.

Some days are made sweeter by the people that we serve.

Today was one of those days.

Thank you! It was our pleasure.
Some things make our days sweeter.

Partner With US

February 27, 2019
Rebuilding Together: Partner With Us

Coming soon, along with Spring, is one of the most exciting times of the year for Rebuilding Together.

The last Saturday in April – April 27 – is

National Rebuilding Together Day

 

Rebuilding Together Muscatine county, along with over 150 other affiliates,

will come together and make a difference in communities all across America.

Please save the date!

 

If you can’t participate with us on the 27th,

we still have much to do during the month to prepare.

 

Please watch for updates as the day approaches –

We cannot do what we do without your help.

And as Frank says;

“It Just Needs Done”.

 

Frank and Jordan talk about Rebuilding Together Muscatine County

January 16, 2019

Frank was able to join Jordan this week on the program “Moving Forward” at the local radio station, the Voice of Muscatine.

“Moving Forward” is a daily program that highlights the happenings of area non-profits.

Frank joins Jordan to talk about Rebuilding Together Muscatine County, Inc. Listen in to find out how you can help!

Moving Forward is brought to you by Muscatine Power & Water

Click the link below Frank’s photo to listen in.

https://bit.ly/2TTdNJe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebuilding Together Muscatine Co. to tackle whole home project

January 10, 2019

rebuilding together muscatine co. home

Rebuilding Together Muscatine Co. to tackle whole home project

MUSCATINE — Frank Iliff really cares about the Muscatine community, and he enjoys proving it.

“I’ve rebuilt it in my mind probably a hundred times,” he said of the property at 614 Mulberry Ave. Rebuilding Together Muscatine County will officially purchase Tuesday from the City of Muscatine. Iliff serves as executive director of the nonprofit and he, along with a crew of volunteers, has plans to convert the former Safe Starts office to a single-family home by mid-to-late summer.

Rebuilding Together is a national organization that aims to provide affordable housing for low-income homeowners. It also focuses efforts on rehabbing existing homes to revitalize neighborhoods and allow older homeowners to live at home longer. The group has worked on many projects over the years — about 100 throughout the county — but this is the first home it will take on.

“Let’s see how this one turns out,” Iliff said.

Turning the 740-square foot former office into a two-bedroom home is no small task. Shelving will be removed, a shower and kitchen sink will be installed and appliances including a refrigerator and stove will be brought in. Volunteers will complete much of the work inside and Iliff said electrical and HVAC system work will have to be contracted.

He’s hoping to keep the total cost in the low $20,000s, he said, but because this is the first time the group will tackle a whole home remodel, it may cost more.

“Projects always have surprises,” he said. “I don’t care for them. Surprises always cost more money.”

According to city documents, the building has been vacant since the end of 2017. The city put out a request for a proposal for the property this past summer, but received no responses. A purchase agreement was then negotiated between the nonprofit and the city for $250, with city council approving the purchase at its last session.

“It will be a nice little airtight house for somebody,” Iliff said.

After his experience helping build a porch for a senior resident in need through a community relations committee at Monsanto, Iliff started the local Rebuilding Together chapter in 2007. He and about 14 other employees tore off the existing structure and built a new one. Iliff said the man was brought to tears by the act. “He said, ‘Frank, no one’s ever done this for me.’” The man had done many things to help the community, he said, and now “it was his turn” to be helped.

And since then, the organization has completed projects to make homes safer, especially for senior residents. Major employers Musco Lighting and Kent Corp. have also partnered with the group on past projects. Work includes building ramps, repairing or constructing porches, installing windows, and electrical and HVAC fixes.

“It’s just so rewarding,” Iliff said.

In the past, he said he’s requested grant funding from any resources he could find and has received money for the work from Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, Muscatine Charities, Inc. and local churches. He said he’s looked “any and everywhere” for money to ensure the projects get done.

“I haven’t stood downtown with my hat in my hand,” he said, but considering the passion in his voice for the work he does, that might not be off the table.

With no formal training, Iliff has been building projects since he was eight years old. He said growing up, every time his family moved, he would be responsible for finding a place to make into a playhouse for his younger sister to “keep her out of mom’s kitchen.” He would clean up and convert old chicken or hog buildings where his sister could take toys make her own play kitchen. He said if his mother was missing a pan, they would always check the playhouse.

“I just like to build things,” he said. “I like to put things together.”

After retiring from Monsanto in December, Iliff is working for the nonprofit full time. Over the years, he has noticed how the outcomes of fixing up a home are more than the physical work. People build friendships, develop a deeper connection to their neighbors and neighborhoods, and inspire others to look at ways they too can benefit another or the community.

He said often times it can be too easy to drive through town, see a yard that needs mowed, a house that needs painting or a roof that needs some shingles replaced and not give it a second thought. Sometimes, the people residing there may need the help, but may not know how to get it.

“If you don’t do it, who will,” he said. And that attitude is also revealed in the organizations motto, “It just needs done.”

“If that house gets fixed up,” he said, “it not only helps raise the value of the home, but also of the community.”

Helping those in need and showing consideration for the community also prevents drug use and crime from creeping into neighborhoods, he said.

“In a cleaned up community, you’re not going to have meth,” he said. People wanting to use drugs “go to places where nobody is watching because nobody cares.”

“Everybody just needs to do a little bit,” he said, “and everybody can do something. It’s neighbor helping neighbor.”

 

 

https://muscatinejournal.com/muscatine/news/local/rebuilding-together-muscatine-co-to-tackle-whole-home-project/article_33af7c34-9654-57fc-8fa2-909fcacac94d.html?fbclid=IwAR0ecH4PVgCmM1vMD_hIzOhzYZ6eqZ6AFzdyAhm_1PnS9Y803f5xbqYhato#tracking-source=home-the-latest