On Friday, more than 500 local volunteers, civic leaders and New England Patriots alumni worked together to preserve affordable housing and revitalize communities with nonprofit Rebuilding Together Boston (RTB) for National Rebuilding Day.
The group worked to rehabilitate four homes in Mattapan, Dorchester and West Roxbury; the Boys & Girls Club in South Boston; two local churches; a schoolyard; and a neighborhood retail district, according to a statement. Renovations included home modifications and energy-efficiency upgrades for Vietnam and Korean War Veterans; new roof and gutter replacement for a widow who has lived in her home for 30 years; waterproofing, patching and painting for the Boys & Girls Club; installing new doors and lighting for the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and School in Jamaica Plain; and new landscaping and improved access for the members and visitors of the First Parish Church in Dorchester.
"This year, Rebuilding Together Boston has the honor of helping not only homeowners, but also of making significant improvements to a community center and other local nonprofit facilities," said Simone Auster, president of Rebuilding Together Boston. "Our volunteers will really make a difference in the Roxbury, Mattapan, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury neighborhoods."
The nonprofit also worked with the city of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Services and area retailers to revitalize the Dudley Square retail district, according to a statement. Volunteers paint lighted poles, removed debris, and put in planters and mulch tree pits.
"We are grateful to the hundreds of Rebuilding Together Boston volunteers and many national and local employers who are helping to revitalize homes and integral nonprofit facilities in several of our neighborhoods," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
New England Patriots alumni volunteers included Paul Francisco, Roland James, Ilia Jarostchuk, Bill Matthews, Robert Perryman and Jermaine Wiggins. The Patriot volunteers participated in service at three of the nine sites, including home repairs, painting, landscaping and cleaning.
The following companies sponsored the event: Babson Capital Management, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bullhorn, Epsilon, Gilbane Building Co., Grand Circle Corp., Jacobs Family, LPL Financial, MetLife, Sears Holdings, Shawmut Design and Construction, Starbucks Coffee Co., U.S. Administration on Aging and the United Services Automobile Association (USAA).
