Event Day 2014

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say: YOU did it! With 500 volunteers spread out across the El Paso and work on 23 homes being  completed in one day, Event Day is far from a one man show. It would not have been a success without the hard work of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors, the kindness of donors, and every single ounce of sweat that went into making April 26, 2014 our best Event Day yet.

 

Every Event Day is great in our book, but this one was extra special as it included the presentation of a giant check in a giant amount from Wells Fargo. That $10,000 will go a long way toward providing much-needed repairs to homes in El Paso. Thank you, Wells Fargo!

​It’s a thrill to see the city-wide impact one day can have. The 23 homes that were completed on Saturday all have a fresh coat of paint and clean yards to match the work that has been done on the inside. In some cases, the interior work was simple, patches fixed and tiles replaced. But in other cases, it was extensive. Roofs have been fixed, swamp coolers replaced, tubs converted to showers for ease of use.

​On a national scale, our individual efforts are adding up to something huge. Over 3,000 projects total (!) have been completed by affiliates across the country during April as part of Rebuilding Together’s National Rebuilding Month! Yep, that includes the 23 homes completed in our fair city. We hope that all our contributors feel an extra sense of pride knowing that they are part of a nation-wide improvement project. RTNRM isn’t just one day or one volunteer opportunity; it’s a movement! It’s a step toward accomplishing our goal of providing safe living conditions for the elderly, disabled, and veterans in our country and our community.

When it comes down to it, the best part of Event Day is not the good feeling we get out of volunteering or the pride we feel from being part of a big change, but the joy that it brings to the individual homeowners. One man, overwhelmed at the sight of dozens of people working on the inside and outside of his house, sat back and remarked, “I’m in heaven.”


One woman expressed the impact that Event Day had on her parents, owners of a home that was repaired, by saying, “We are beyond lucky. This is actually not an end to the process, but I think (I hope) this day will be a new beginning for my mom and dad.”


Event Day 2014 is over, but our mission continues. We’ll be working on (and sharing with you!) project homes throughout the year, we also have a fundraiser in the works, and we’ll be sharing more stories from Event Day 2014. In the meantime, if you want to volunteer with us, donate to our cause, or sponsor us, you’ll find everything you need to know at our website and on our Facebook page.