By Tim Clarke
Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities
As the sawdust has settled, sweat and sore muscles are a faint but rewarding memory, I take a moment to look back at Rebuilding Day 2026.
For the first time since joining the board of Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities nine years ago, I volunteered to be a volunteer coordinator. Until this year, I toured all of the homes that were worked on that day with the press. I was in a unique position to see all the projects during the day, making it easy to write about them. I had no idea just how much fun I was missing out on!
Because of a shortage of appropriate homes to choose from, Tamara Bellamy, who works at the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Center, and I campaigned for painting the rooms of the senior center. It was easy to convince the board as the center was to pay for the paint and supplies.
I attend an art class at the center on Fridays, so I was able to do some of the prep work, making the work on the day go quicker. Sue Parks suggested that we ask long-time painting contractor Tony Crowder to be the project captain, making sure the painting was done to the highest quality possible. We were the guides to the volunteers, a group that needed little guidance.
At the same time, another group of volunteers were helping Terry and Debbie Bollin, who take care of the club garden and outdoor maintenance, with yard cleaning around the building, filling two dumpsters to the brim. Two children had the time of their lives, jumping up and down to pack as much as possible in each bin.
The universal feeling of all of us was that we were making new friends and reconnecting with old ones as we talked and laughed and worked to give back to the community in a joyful environment, finishing in record time.
As it has been for over 30 years, it’s the trade and non-trade volunteers from our wonderful mountain communities who allow us to continue this important work year after year. A nod must go to those who contribute the funds to bring these great feelings to all who participate. Without those funds, we would have to bring this work to a close and none of us want that.
So, thanks to all who helped this year and I hope to see all my new friends next year on the last Saturday in April to recharge those feelings of satisfaction and love for our neighbors in need. When we give, we love ourselves as well.
For information, immediate help or to sign up for Rebuilding Day next year, contact Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities at (909) 336-3910 or info@rtmc.build. Visit the website at www.rtmc.build.
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