5 minute read
GIVING OUR ALL FOR THINGS OF MY VERY OWN
Members build shelves and collect donations for local charity
Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” It’s no secret that CRBRA’s builder, remodeler and associate members take great pride in being active participants in their local communities. Whether it’s volunteering with local charities, serving on boards and committees, sponsoring events or making financial contributions, CRBRA members always find a way to give back to the community and the causes they’re passionate about.
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Things of My Very Own gift tag
In addition to the individual contributions being made in the community, CRBRA also has a Community Projects Committee to review, plan and carry out projects to help those in need in the Capital Region.
Pipino Builders’ Paul Pipino, Timmy Ketz & Dajhon Packer assembling the shelves.
Special thanks to the following members for collaborating on the shelving project:
PIPINO BUILDERS, QUALITY PM, BELLEVUE BUILDERS SUPPLY & CURTIS LUMBER
In previous years, CRBRA’s Community Projects Committee partnered with Catholic Charities to assist with rebuilding a home for an impoverished family, building new camp cabins at a summer camp for low-income children, and the renovation of a kitchen at a Catholic Charities day care center in Troy. CRBRA was honored to be awarded the Sister Maureen Joyce Charities Award by Catholic Charities in 2016.
The committee was on hiatus in 2018 and most of 2019 as the CRBRA HQ renovation and All IN campaign were underway and heavily reliant on members contributions of time and materials. However, as the holidays approached, 2017 President Paul Pipino learned that local charity, Things of My Very Own, was in dire need of shelving units to organize the donations they receive for their Sponsor-a-Child in Crisis program.
“Last year, my family shopped for wish tags and it stuck with me how much need there is for basic items like shampoo, toothpaste, shoes and warm clothes,” said Pipino. “I visited the facility in early October to find out how CRBRA could become a host location for their wish tags and that’s when the staff told me what they needed even more was shelving units for organizing all the donations they receive.” Things of My Very Own hoped to have the shelves built and assembled in their location by the end of October.
With the board’s support, the Community Projects Committee got right to work. In this case, team work really did make the dream work. With materials donated by Bellevue Builders Supply and Curtis Lumber, Quality PM constructed and delivered the shelves and Pipino Builders assembled all 72 shelves at Things of My Very Own’s Schenectady location by the requested deadline.
Quality PM pre-made the shelving units
Quality PM’s Paul Couture unloading the shelves at Things of My Very Own in Schenectady
“I want to thank the team at the Capital Region Builders & Remodelers Association for the materials, time, and work given to building the shelves in our program room. This project made it possible for our organization to distribute thousands of gifts to children in crisis this holiday. On behalf of those children in need, thank you,” said Faith Pangburn the Program & Operations Manager at Things of My Very Own.
Things of My Very Own also supplied CRBRA with 60 wish tags for local children in crisis, giving CRBRA the opportunity to host giving trees from November 25 to December 6. The wish tags provided the age, gender and general situation of the child-in-crisis along with their sizing for their most needed items. As Pipino recalled, the needs were basic items that most of us ordinarily take for granted. Fortunately, CRBRA members once again rose to the challenge and all 60 tags were taken and shopped for. For each tag a member took, a “giver” tag with their name on it was put on the trees currently on display at CRBRA.
Giving Tree collection at CRBRA HQ
When CRBRA staff delivered the collected donations to Things of My Very Own on Friday, December 6, the volunteers were thrilled that so many tags were fulfilled for the children in need. Staff was also taken to see the program room and how the shelving units have revolutionized their process for organizing and distributing gifts.
CRBRA is incredibly fortunate to have talented members who make a living doing what they love. Hopefully, this story of giving and its humbling impact will serve as encouragement to continue giving generously of your time, resources and talents.
In conjunction with CRBRA’s Strategic Plan and a priority of 2020 President Gregg Biché, the Community Projects Committee is planning to complete one small project each quarter. If you’re interested in joining this committee or micro-volunteering as needed, please contact Kristen Egelston at kristen@crbra.com.
About Things of My Very Own
Things of My Very Own, Inc. provides crisis intervention services to children impacted by extensive abuse and/or neglect. Services are also available to children who are, solely due to the lack of items necessary for sustainability, at risk of a Child Protective Services intervention. Their goal is to keep children together with non-abusive family members, and out of the foster care system, whenever possible.
The transition out of an abusive situation is often sudden and unexpected. Rarely is a child able to return home to retrieve belongings prior to their move. Things of My Very Own, Inc. recognizes the need for children to have everything they need from the first moment on. Their goal is to provide children with things of their very own on an immediate need basis, so they can begin their healing process.
Emergency referrals are accepted from partnering agencies 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Transitional Aid packages vary depending on the needs of the child but generally include clothing, outerwear, mattresses, bedding and personal hygiene products.
To learn more, visit thingsofmyveryown.org.
