"R enovatin' Rocks the House 2" next Sunday is Rebuilding Together Solano County's annual one-two punch of palates to palettes.
First the food, compliments of 12 local restaurants. Then the stacks of construction equipment, which leads to helping low income seniors, disabled and veterans and community projects by the upstart organization championed by executive director Elizabeth Hoffman and more than 1,500 volunteers.
Appropriately, the annual "Rocks the House" event is at the Veterans Memorial Building, site of several upgrades by Rebuilding Together.
It's about contributing, said Ken Paulk, formally a volunteer who became an active board member last February.
Working a project "really makes you sit back and be proud of the community," Paulk said.
It's mid-week as Paulk and Hoffman sit for a few minutes to talk about Rebuilding Together and the big event that includes a silent auction of products and services.
And, not that Hoffman wants to be cruel, or love you tender, or all shook up, but she said a framed "laser-signed" Elvis Presley guitar and unopened vinyl album donated by Paulk just might be the talk of
the event.
$1,800 in a silent auction four years ago "and I decided to take it off the wall and put in our donation" next Sunday, he said.
Though the Elvis guitar should fetch at least two grand, "a collectible is only as good as somebody who would pay the money," said
Paulk, adding that he might just put a signed Muhammad Ali photo up for grabs next year.
"We'll keep him on board as long as he keeps giving those donations," smiled Hoffman.
Other silent auction items include two hours of home repair service, a Cessna ride, winery tour, Meyer cookware, a $1,000 gift certificate for Bobcat work, and a delta cruise.
A new pink toilet is also on the list, Hoffman said.
All the money raised helps add to the list of projects that Rebuilding Together can handle. And it started in 2009 with one house, in 2010 with three homes and three community facilities, and, this year, two homes and six facilities.
"It just keeps growing and growing," Hoffman said.
Next year looks bright, said Hoffman, thanks in part to funding by Kaiser Permanente Vallejo. Confirmed is a work day in Vallejo, Vacaville and Fairfield on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in February.
Though Hoffman's constantly called from people seeking help, there are qualifications by either age, disabled status, or a veteran that must be
verified.
Unfortunately, several in need fail to qualify, said Paulk, "and it's gut-wrenching because you know everyone has
Though most materials, manpower and food for a project is donated, major projects require cash.
"We've had to turn people away because we haven't had the funding," Hoffman said.
Each home problem is different, she added, from making the floors "senior safe" to easy-to-open door knobs and
safe railings.
Because many homes in the area are aging, "there are a lot of electrical issues,"
Hoffman said.
Paulk praised all the volunteers that have included Vallejo Councilmember Erin Hannigan and Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson.
"I tip my cap to Elizabeth Hoffman and her volunteers," Hannigan said. "They're helping those who need the help the most."
Patterson assisted in a Benicia project and, said Paulk, "she can toss a shovel as well as any worker I've seen."
Last year's "Renovatin' Rocks the House" attracted about 200 people and raised $11,000, Hoffman said.
"It exceeded our expectations," Paulk said.
Major sponsors for the "Rocks the House" include Recology Vallejo and PitCCh In Foundation, Lennar and Alza.
What: Renovatin' Rocks the House 2, a fund-raiser for Rebuilding Together Solano County
When: Sunday, Nov. 20, 5 to 6 p.m. no-host bar, dinner, raffle, auction, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Veteran's Memorial Building, 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment