Another Ramp

When I started volunteering with Rebuilding Together, they told me that they didn't do ramp projects during the summer. That was fine with me - I really don't enjoy working in 105+ temperatures, but the reality is that the need continues, so I committed to an August Saturday project.

We had a huge crew of volunteers from Bank of America.

With that many people, we split them into three teams. One group started framing up modules to be used on the next ramp build.

One group put in a paver walkway.

The client had a ramp, but it was inadequate for the weight of her motorized chair, so my crew started by demo'ing the existing ramp and then constructing a new one.

Some of the crew had worked Habitat projects, and all of them had good tool skills, so things moved quickly.

By 11:30, the home owner and the volunteers were celebrating. Two projects done for this client, and prep completed for the next client.

Thankfully, I think the weather is going to start to break. By the time we get back from the Green River, temperatures should be much better.

Let's Go Racing

I've really enjoyed my involvement with Rebuilding Together. Most of my time with them has been related to building accessibility ramps, but I'm willing to do whatever they need.

Recently they asked if I could process nearly 200 blocks of poplar for an upcoming quasi Pine Derby fundraiser. Each block required two passes through the table saw to create
a vee groove in the top of the block.

Then each block needed two passes over the dado blade to create the slots for the axles,

followed by drilling four holes in each block.

With the second box nearly full,

I had to insert the axles, wheels, and large head nails to see how it was going to look. I didn't bother with the rubber bands that hold the can in place.

They haven't set the date for the fund raiser yet, nor have they published the rules, but I'm already thinking about ways to cheat. ;-) If I made a block out of hard maple it would be about the same color but lots heavier... I'm open to suggestions!

Rebuilding Together

When I volunteered to paint a couple houses on "Make a Difference" day in October, I heard about Rebuilding Together and met some of their volunteers. Rebuilding Together has over 175 local affiliates scattered around the United States.

Since then, I've spent some time in the local affiliate's shop, building accessibility ramp modules and preparing for their next big project.

One of the strengths of Rebuilding Together is their ability to facilitate effective use of large teams of volunteers. Most recently, we facilitated the efforts of over 50 volunteers from the HR department at Honeywell.

My team was tasked with building some benches to be scattered about the campus of Unlimited Potential. I was concerned about safety and made sure people knew safety issues with the tools they were using. Turns out, I should have started with things like "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey" and "make sure the driver is fully engaged in the screw head before pulling the trigger."

That said, the team members were quick learners and very effective team players. It wasn't long before the project manager was looking to "borrow" some of my team to support other projects on campus.

By the time the sixth bench was being stained, other team members were

completing a raised rim and refilling of the existing sandbox while others were staining some newly assembled picnic tables.

Other teams installed raised planting beds, complete with tomatoes, basil, and something else that I forgot.

Other teams did some painting around the former grade school campus.

Another team installed matting on a small sports court and assembled a new basketball standard.

The airplane teeter-totter was a big hit, but only one kid was willing to try it while we were all standing around watching.

There were lots of other small projects also completed that day, all of which will help Unlimited Potential to better serve their clients.

Meanwhile, I'm totally enjoying a chance to use some skills to help others.