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Here at Strobel, we are proud to be a part of such a thoughtful and proactive community. When organizations like Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay (RTTB) make their way into the area, we do everything we can to get involved. The Tampa Bay chapter of Rebuilding Together is a non-profit program aimed towards strengthening the lives of Tampa Bay’s most vulnerable communities. Strobel Owner, Don Strobel, is a founding member of RTTB, and has been a member of the board for the past 16 years.
Rebuilding Together is a nationwide organization with Tampa Bay serving as one of its 146 affiliates. It is the largest non-profit volunteer home rehabilitation organization in the nation. With over 780,000 total hours of volunteering experience, it’s no surprise that Rebuilding Together is able to apply their expertise to the Tampa Bay area. That being said, we ask that you please join us Saturday, April 29 for National Rebuild Day where RTTB will proudly be launching a new project, Building A Healthier West Tampa, with the support of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. This project is dedicated to improving the living conditions for those homes with expecting mothers and young children. RTTB launched “Building a Healthier Neighborhood” in the spring of 2015 and delivered their services to around 200 homes. This project’s goal is to restore at least 35 homes in the community. If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring, Strobel would love to have you. Please head to our website for more information: http://www.rttb.org/.
Below is a little more on RTTB:
How do they make this happen?
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay brings communities together with the help of gracious volunteers in an effort to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. Through the Affordable Housing Program, RTTB makes the construction of new-single family homes for first time buyers possible. They are able to acquire and transform real estate bank-owned properties and make them available to qualified and mortgage-ready buyers with help from HUD certified Housing Counseling agencies.
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What impact have they had in the Tampa Bay area?
Presently focused in the neighborhood of Sulphur Springs, RTTB expanded earlier this year to the West Tampa area and has had a wide-reaching impact. Nearly 17,000 individuals have benefitted from the work of RTTB. By the hands of over 1,000 volunteer hours, more than 500 homes have been improved to produce $4 million worth of improvements. The numbers look great, but it’s really the warmth, safety, and independence RTTB has been able to provide to local communities that makes their efforts worthwhile. Here are just a few success stories to support the value RTTB has had in the Tampa Bay area:
The Benson Residence
Ms. Benson, who worked with the Red Cross and is an Army veteran, had volunteers from Home Depot improve her home. They reconstructed her bathroom, painted the home exterior and installed a new fence on her property.
The Sinkfield Home
Ms. Sinkfield’s home was revitalized by The Home Depot as part of making our way to National Rebuild Day 2017 in West Tampa. Ms. Sinkfield has lived in this home for more than 50 years. Team Depot, consisting of 30 volunteers who were on site transforming the home replaced the front door, ceiling tiles and light fixtures, cabinets and backsplash in the kitchen, which was painted. They also installed a water heater, shower hardware and created a back patio platform. “I’m overwhelmed today. I can’t tell you how blessed I am that that Saturday you all knocked on my door. That’s when God said, ‘Ok, here’s your blessing, open that door…’ I thank this program for helping me, I thank Home Depot for helping me.”
The Menendez Residence
Mr. Menendez’s home was part of a block beautification project in Sulphur Springs, Tampa. Volunteers from Lowes and Abundant Life Worship Center worked on revitalizing his home, along with three others; they painted his home exterior, did yard work and landscaping and installed a Healthy Home Kit. “The job volunteers do is beautiful, perfect. I’m very grateful for what they’ve done.”
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How can you help?
Learn more about Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay by visiting their website at www.rttb.org! The Tampa Bay area is thankful for RTTB’s work, and looks forward to many years of continued success at the hands of their selfless volunteers.
*Photos all courtesy of rttb.org.
