May 6, 2005

Community comes out to lend a helping hand

Evergreen business joins nationwide effort to bring comfort to those in need

By Andrea Boyd Ball
Times Intern

Over the past two Saturdays, employees of Meriwest Credit Union, their families and friends refurbished the home of Evergreen community member Virginia Ramirez, a senior divorcée living on a fixed-income.

Meriwest Credit Union employees, family and friends prepare the house exterior for painting.

The repair and refurbishment effort was part of a “National Rebuilding Day” coordinated by Rebuilding Together, an organization whose goal is “to provide a warm, safe and dry environment for low-income homeowners, enabling them to live independently and with dignity.”

Rebuilding Together, founded in 1988 as “Christmas in April,” has 255 affiliates across the nation serving more than 955 cities and towns, including Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley.

It was Ramirez’s best friend of 38 years, Elizabeth Sanchez, who told her about the program and encouraged her to apply for home repair assistance.

Ramirez moved into her mobile home in 1992 after a divorce, which like for many women, left her with diminished resources and lessened ability to provide upkeep to her home.

Low-income homeowners may self-apply or be referred to Rebuilding Together by a community organization. A formal application, selection committee site visit and income evaluation measured against established criteria determines whether a home will be added to the list of prospective benefit recipients.

Once added to the list, local partners adopt a house or facility that matches their volunteer talent pool and other available resources.

David Grandey, director of corporate communications for Meriwest Credit Union, said his company chose the Ramirez home because his staff was fully capable of doing the typical home repairs like painting and yard work rather than repairs that require skilled carpenters. Meriwest has given back to community through this effort for the past six years.

Rebuilding Together provides all labor and materials to its recipient for free. With the donation of skilled labor and materials, the Silicon Valley chapter has been able to leverage $6 of repairs for each $1 contributed.

So, into this quiet, well-kept neighborhood just off Capitol Expressway, hammers and nails, wrenches and screwdrivers, sand paper and paint brushes and lots of elbow grease were brought to bear on Ramirez’s mobile home for long overdue general maintenance and upkeep.

Evergreen homeowner Virginia Ramirez poses with (from left) Mark Sarsfield and Scott Grossweiler, two of the Meriwest employees and Rebuilding Together volunteers who helped refurbish her home.

Repairs to the home included pruning and removal of outdoor landscaping, interior and exterior painting, plumbing in the master bathroom, refinishing kitchen cabinet doors, replacing floor vinyl in the front bathroom and kitchen and, an added surprise for the homeowner, a new dishwasher.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” said a beaming Ramirez, who had only asked that the old dishwasher be removed. “Everyone from the company is so nice. It’s such a great organization,” Ramirez added.

Maria Sanchez, financial center manager for Meriwest, has participated in the national rebuilding day for the past couple of years. She does so because, “making a difference in someone else’s life is the thing that matters most.”

Julie Kirsch, chief operating officer, has been a part of the Meriwest team on national building day for the past six years. “It’s so rewarding to see the homeowner’s face after the change. Plus, it’s nice to work with staff on a project outside of work,” said Kirsch.

“I’m so grateful to my friend,” said Ramirez. “Without the program, I’m not sure when or if I would have been able to pay for the work to get done.”

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley has provided more than $3 million in repairs and rehabilitated more than 180 homes and facilities for local residents since its inception in 1991. This April, the organization added 31 more homes and four more facilities to the list.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, providing donations or applying for help, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley can be contacted at (408) 578-9519 or online at www.rebuildingtogether-sv.org.