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.

Rudy Tomasik’s journey to be a volunteer started long before he joined Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (RTSC) 13 years ago. It is a path that developed him into a compassionate contributor that brings his brand of vibrant enthusiasm to projects and the organization.

To meet Rudy is a joy. His mild manner is welcoming, providing reassurance that you’re in the presence of a man brimming with empathy and kindness.

“I must admit, I have some selfish reasons for volunteering,” Rudy claims. “Once I retired, I needed a purpose, and RTSC has served as an outlet for my need to contribute while redefining my purpose.” For decades, that purpose was wrapped up in his profession as an engineer. A career that brought him to remote corners of the world, provided him an opportunity to meet his wife Kathryn, and then returned to upstate New York to raise their daughter. Now in his 70s, Rudy’s ambition to help those around him is not slowing in the least.

Originally finding RTSC through the Office of the Aging’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Rudy rolls up his sleeves and slogs it out, even in the hottest of summer days with a team of other retirees: the Weekday Warriors. He values the camaraderie found in working with other volunteers. “I have to say, I’ve never met a volunteer with RTSC that I didn’t like.” On job sites or meeting up for a meal to make plans for future project, Rudy has built a community of friends that keeps him engaged.

Rudy makes it very clear that his selfless volunteering isn’t a solitary contribution. “There’s no way to do this without mentioning the unsung heroes,” Rudy explains. “My wife is one of them. She allows me the time to do this. This takes me away from home and that time apart is her donation to the greater cause at hand.” He goes onto to explain that if it weren’t for those providing financial and resource support, there would be no materials for projects to be tackled. “Those that donate to RTSC make it possible for us to build what we build,” Rudy points out.

The time he spends on job sites provides him with joy and plenty of great stories to share with his family. One project of note involved a homeowner who struggled to leave her house since she requires the use of a scooter for mobility and her home’s entryway door was nearly 30 inches off the ground without a ramp. With a lot of pre-work and a couple of days on site, the RTSC team built the ramp that allows for easy access and egress to the home. Rudy goes onto say, “We asked her to try the ramp out with her scooter, and she immediately started crying. She said, ‘I’m so happy. It’s been six months since I’ve been out of the house. Now I can go and get my mail.’”

When asked about what volunteering to help your neighbors means to him, Rudy immediately praises about each of the volunteers he works with regularly. “Dean Gunther spearheads so many projects, making things function. John Collins puts the pieces together. There are so many – engineers, doctors, other professionals that want to give back. Really, it’s our sawdust therapy,” Rudy says warmly.

It’s the camaraderie that has kept Rudy coming back to RTSC. “It’s hard to explain,” Rudy laments. “Giving back has put years on to my life. Just to know you’ve helped someone – it means so much.”

Rudy embodies the spirit of “neighbors helping neighbors” that make him not the best just amongst RTSC, but the best amongst humans.