Through Volunteer Eyes: Rivermark & Rebuilding Together

Rivermark employees and their family members sprang into action for another volunteer day with Rebuilding Together Portland. Rain or shine, the team of 17 had a hearty list of home improvements planned, and thankfully, the sun showed up and shined on throughout the workday.

Early on the Saturday morning, Rivermark volunteers arrived at the home of Connie in SE Portland, to meet the House Captain, Kate Thornton, from Kaizer Construction, and begin a day of hard work for a great cause. 

The work focused on repairs that improve Connie's safety and her overall health and well-being at home. Volunteers replaced rotting deck boards, installed new grab bars in the bathroom, added lighting fixtures in corridors and protected the exterior of the home with a fresh coat of paint.

As the projects wrapped up and volunteers began cleaning up the supplies, the ever-distinct clanging of a cowbell rang in celebration. Connie stood on her porch, carefully avoiding the fresh paint and beaming with a smile from ear to ear, shaking a pompom in one hand and cowbell in the other. "Thank you so much!," she exclaimed. Her message rang loud and clear (literally) and filled the volunteers with a sense of collaborative achievement and appreciation. 

In addition to partnering in volunteerism, the Rivermark Community Fund selected Rebuilding Together as its 2020 grant recipient of $20,000, split between their regional offices in the Portland metro area. You can read more about the fund and our mission here.

Established in 1973, Rebuilding Together advances its mission of "Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives" by providing low-income homeowners with critical home improvements. They serve many senior citizens and people with disabilities, and with the help of volunteers nationwide, the organization completes about 10,000 rebuild projects every year. You can read more about Rebuilding Together and their mission here.