The Good Neighbor Award recognizes a Community Partner that has made a significant humanitarian contribution in support of the Red Cross mission.

With the support of Red Cross, RTSC is able to give 2 smoke alarms within our Health and Safety kits, to everyone that applies to our home repair program. Over the last 20 years, we have installed over 1,000 smoke alarms.

Debbie has served on our Board of Directors for the last 3 years. Here is a quick Q&A we had with Debbie!

Q: What drew you to be involved with RTSC?
A: I believe in their mission statement “Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives”. I would be remiss in not mentioning the infectious nature of RTSC founder Michelle Larkin.

Q: What is your favorite season and why? 
A: The fall. It’s a beautiful time of year and comfy sweater weather.

Q: What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
A: Cherry Chocolate Chunk.

Q: What’s your favorite color?
A: Blue.

Q: What your go-to karaoke song? 
A: Sweet Caroline.

Q: What hobby would you like to explore and why?
A: Welding. To repair metal and create art.

Q: Where do you see our organization going in 5 years?
A: We will continue to expand beyond Saratoga County. As the need continues to rise in our communities for our seniors, veterans and low-income homeowners, we will continue to improve and/or expand our services to help our neighbors in their time of need.

Green Ribbon Day is when we celebrate a homeowner receiving their new mobile home with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Meet Ms. P, a recent recipient of a Mobile Home Replacement Program. After applying for home repairs, she meet the criteria of being eligible for a replacement unit. She worked with our office staff and vendor to pick our her features and waited patiently for the home to be delivered. She recently met with our team and did a final walk through before she was presented with her new keys.

Congratulations, MS. P on your new home!

Thank you both for being wonderful contractors and serving our homeowners in need.

Each safety kit, generously donated by Adirondack Trust and Company, has smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, a night light, fire extinguisher, a file of life, basic first aid kit, and safety brochures from our local American Red Cross.

Our partners at the American Red Cross of Northeastern NY donate smoke detectors to us every few months so we can provide them to our clients and improve the safety of their homes.

When asked what it means to receive these items, the Smith’s responded, “We weren’t expecting these things. We thought you would come in and install them, take some photos and leave. You did so much more. Thank you. It’s awesome. I’m so happy we have a fire extinguisher.”

We agree. We are so grateful to have partnerships with local organizations and businesses so we can provide these services to our homeowners and community.

If you are interested in receiving a Health and Safety visit, email Clarice at Clarice@rtsaratoga.org.

New to the area, Megan was eager to roll up her sleeves and help the city she now calls home, as part of Kickoff to Rebuild. Rebuilding Together hosts the annual Super Bowl-sanctioned in the host city, providing no-cost repairs to the homes of neighbors in need and revitalizing communities.

“While I’m new to the Las Vegas community, I have heard incredible stories of the homes we are involved in, as well as the Boys & Girls Club’s mission,” said Megan. I could not think of more deserving individuals to receive these renovation projects.”

Megan began her Lowe’s career as a seasonal cashier more than nine years ago. She now serves as the area human resources business partner for the Las Vegas-area district. As the host district for this year’s Kickoff to Rebuild and Super Bowl LVIII, Megan played a key role in helping to organize logistics in the months leading up to the project.

“We worked with Rebuilding Together to coordinate all of the products for paint, landscaping, all of the supplies, tools, including the tools we’re donating to the homeowners,” she explained. “We also recruited associates to come out to these six homes and help.”

When the project day finally arrived, Megan was ready to get to work.

“We went through the backyard and pulled weeds to prep for rock landscaping, then moved rocks to cover the yard,” said Megan. “After we finished with the landscaping, I moved on to painting – lots of painting! I know I’m going to get a good night sleep tonight.”

“My favorite part about today has been meeting the homeowners,” she continued. “We were able to spend a few minutes with them and they’re so appreciative and humble about the experience, but really they don’t understand the impact today has on us, so it was great to spend time with them.”

Giving back to the community is one of the many highlights for Megan throughout her Lowe’s career, but especially as an HR professional.

“The passion that comes out of associates—We are able to see their love for the community and taking the skills they have developed with Lowe’s out to the community,” she noted.

Kickoff to Rebuild is just one of hundreds of home repair events that Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country host throughout the year that help neighbors remain safely in their homes. Volunteers like Megan play an integral role in Rebuilding Together’s ability to make an impact across the country through essential home repairs.

Looking back on her experience supporting the project and volunteering throughout the day, Megan shared, “I definitely encourage anyone to come out and volunteer. I know sometimes life can get in front of us, and we think we have a lot going on, but it really does good for your soul to take a step back and see the good that it does.”

Find your local Rebuilding Together affiliate.