Tag Archive: volunteer

Coming Out of Quarantine – It Just Needs Done

August 31, 2020

Some things in life just happen, and you don’t see them coming. You get blindsided. 

As with most of our new friends here at Rebuilding Together Muscatine County, these things happen, leaving people not knowing where to turn for help.

This is one such story.

This man’s beloved wife, although really quite young, had a stroke, and after going to the hospital for treatment, other complications arose, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down.

Their home was not at all accessible at all for their newfound reality.

Not knowing where to turn, he called his friend State Senator Mark Lofgren.

Mark has stood behind Rebuilding Together Muscatine County since it’s inception, and in turn gave him information on how to contact us.

Who told you about us?

So after the contacts were made, the planning began in earnest.

Frank took one of our volunteers with him to visit the home, to see what needed to be done.

Not able to use the front door due to accessibility issues, it was determined that the ramp would need to go around to the back.

In order to keep in line with state and city codes, ramps need a certain amount of “drop” for each foot that they are tall.

These numbers caused this to be the biggest ramp ever created by Rebuilding Together Muscatine County.

Let the games begin.

RTMC uses a ramp system that does not typically need concrete footings.

Our ramps are such that when they are no longer needed, they are disassembled, and put back in storage to be used on other projects when the need arises.

Due to the size of this project, footings were mandatory – Friday was spent placing holes for the footings

Getting things started.

Saturday morning dawned cool and bright. A perfect day for a ramp building.

After a good breakfast provided by a nearby church event, the volunteers were ready to get started.

Some of the volunteers had worked with us before and were well versed in what and how things needed to be done.

The ones who have never worked with us before came alongside and had a great learning experience.

This team was amazing; troopers all!

Progress.
Lunch Time!

Typically, our food and snacks are provided for us by the local Pizza Ranch.

But on this day … this day the family of the folks we were building the ramp for, decided to provide everything we needed.

Ice cold water, sandwiches, cold salads, chips, drinks, and amazing desserts!

What a treat to have these things available all day to our team of volunteers.

Team Work!
Our biggest ramp to date!

Of course, not all volunteers could stay all day, so they kind of came in shifts, each staying as long as they were able.

We believe that if everyone does their part, then the whole job gets done!

Shift change.

There is always more to do on a job this size.

Some who were unable to help physically, took up donations to give to RTMC.

We do not charge for our work, but we never say no to donations either! 

Always more to do!

At the end of the day, the entire ramp was installed.

Some volunteers will return next Saturday to install the handrails, and reinforcements underneath the structure.

Thank you to all who helped in ANY way!

We love helping our community, because “It Just Needs Done!”

National Rebuilding Together Day – 2020 Shout Out!

April 25, 2020

Well today – April 25 – is National Rebuilding Together Day.

The year 2020 will go down in history for the COVID19 virus.

Many things have been postponed or cancelled.

In America where Rebuilding Together resides, and literally every where else on the planet.

We are not able to have our National Rebuilding Together Day today.

But we can give a shout out to our volunteers.

They come and they sign up

They get their instructions.

Whether it’s inside;

Or outside in the rain.

They get the job done.

And smile when it’s over!

We could not do what we do with out all of you!

Today we celebrate YOU!

We hope to see you in the fall!

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

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”.

 

Front Page News!

April 18, 2012

Together they stand to make a difference Rebuilding Together: Muscatine  County could use some helping hands to give some homes a little TLC

 

Cynthia BeaudetteThe Muscatine  Journal |                                        Posted: Tuesday, April 17,  2012 10:30 pm

 

 

MUSCATINE, Iowa —What does it take to rebuild a county? For starters, how  about a hammer, a shovel and a willingness to work?

If you have one or all of those, organizers at Rebuilding Together Muscatine  County have a spot for you on Saturday, April 28.

That’s the day the local chapter of the National Rebuilding Together  organization plans to complete projects at four area houses and two non-profit  centers.

Since its founding in 2007,  by executive director  Frank Iliff,  the non-profit Rebuilding Muscatine County has helped more than 30 low-income  homeowners who needed repairs.

Rebuilding’s recipients include the disabled and senior, at-risk families  with children, veterans and active military members.

To make the best use of time and resources, volunteers with all types of  talents and ideas are needed, said Deb Iliff, Frank’s wife, and volunteer  coordinator for the organization.

“Even if you can’t do electrical work, you can pick up a rake,” said Deb  Iliff. “And if you’re too young to use power tools, you can pick up trash.”

She added there is also a need for ambassadors. These are people who sit and  talk with the homeowners while the work is being done.

“One couple we worked with had lived in their home for 50 years and had spent  a lot of time alone,” said Deb Iliff. “Then they had all these people at their  house, and it was a big change. One of our volunteers spent the day with that  couple and kept them company.”

Volunteers will receive lunch and a T-shirt, and may even  learn some  new skills.

Some people put together a group from their workplace, said Iliff, or  families form teams, as do groups and organizations. Walk-in volunteers are  welcome the day of the event, but teams have a better chance of working together  at the same site when they sign up by Saturday, April 21, said Deb Iliff.

Applications are available at:

— Calvary Church, 501 W. Bypass Iowa Highway 61

— Muscatine County Extension Office, 1514 Isett Ave.

— The Muscatine Journal, 301 E. Third St.

— Rebuilding Together Muscatine County, 205 Cedar St.

— Shear Success, 109 Lake Park Blvd.

To learn more about volunteering, contact the Iliffs at RTMuscatine@hotmail.com  or call 563-260-3143.

Volunteers will meet at 7:15 a.m. on National Rebuilding Day at the  Rebuilding Together Muscatine County headquarters, 205 Cedar St.

Donations can also be mailed to the Rebuilding Together Muscatine  County  headquarters.

 

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