Rebuilding Together: Rebuilding St. Louis
by Susan Bell

    As homeowners spring into their own home improvement projects, one local organization, Rebuilding Together-St. Louis, dedicates one day to bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. This year, Rebuilding Day is Saturday, May 1, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Approximately 2,500 volunteers will descend on more than 100 homes to make a difference  by performing their amazing work. Skill sets for volunteers range from minimal (those who can paint or use a shovel) to skilled tradespeople. Individuals can also work with skilled tradespeople as assistants. 
     Imagine a homeowner who works all his or her life and keeps up a home, but cannot any more. The result is the loss of dignity which can lead to unsafe and unlivable homes and crumbling neighborhoods. That’s where Rebuilding Together-St. Louis helps out by repairing the houses of elderly and disabled people who can’t manage it themselves, so they can live independently in comfort and safety. Houses for other low-income people are also on Rebuilding Together’s list.
      The list of sponsors of Rebuilding Together reads like a who’s who in the business world: Boeing, Emerson Electric Co., Citigroup, Scottrade, Sears, The Home Depot, the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, to name a few.  In addition to businesses and unions, schools and community service organizations pool their time and talent for Rebuilding Together. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. 
     Dave Ervin, executive director of Rebuilding Together-St. Louis, states that the organization operates with a small staff but a mighty volunteer force. The number of skilled volunteers has gone up, but the level of donations of materials and supplies has gone down.
    Ervin says it isn’t too late to volunteer for Rebuilding Day and recommends visiting its website at www.rebuildingtogether-stl.org. This year, more homes will be repaired as the organization will host a rebuilding day on the third Saturday of every month from May to October.   It is expected that  between 10 to 15 houses will be revitalized on each of these Saturdays.
    Interested persons can also volunteer or donate to the organization by calling them at (314) 918-9918. Ask for program director Jessie Conner.