We are excited to announce the 2016 recipients of our annual volunteer awards! The awards for outstanding volunteer service will be presented at our 10th Annual Night of Comedy.  Rebuilding Together Dutchess County is proud to honor our wonderful volunteers that help make our mission to create warm, safe, dry & independent homes possible. Keegan, Ryan, Ken, Terry and Serge embody the true spirit of RTDC and our vision of a safe & healthy home for every person.

2016 Rookie of the Year: Matthew Keegan Trott

Recognizes a person or team that has demonstrated great enthusiasm, skill, and devotion to their respective project within their first year of involvement with RTDC.

Keegan began volunteering in 2014 with Rebuilding Together Dutchess County as part of the Entergy team. In 2015, he returned to serve in dual leadership positions as Volunteer Coordinator and House Captain. These roles required a significant time commitment and leadership savvy. He excelled in both roles, successfully leading a team of 20 volunteers to complete much needed repairs for a local resident.

Congratulations Keegan!

2016 Tradespeople of the Year: Ken and Ryan Parsons, The Brothers That Just Do Gutters

Recognizes a person or team who has provided a high level of support or activity to the organization through their trade or special skill.

For the past four years, Ryan and Ken have donated thousands of dollars in labor and materials through Rebuilding Together Dutchess County. The Brothers That Just Do Gutters take great pride in their work and consistently go above and beyond with their effort.

Congratulations Ryan and Ken, The Brothers The Just Do Gutters!

2016 Volunteer of the Year: Terry Temple

Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the organization through their volunteer service.

Terry has played many roles during her time volunteering with RTDC. She has been Volunteer Coordinator for seven Rebuilding Day projects, organizing the team from the United Methodist Church of Hyde Park. Terry was also an enthusiastic member of our board for over five years. Recently, Terry has been assisting RTDC at various outreach events to help spread the word about our organization.

Congratulations Terry!

Lifetime Achievement Award: Serge Cryvoff

Recognizes an individual or individuals who have dedicated countless time and effort over the years to make Rebuilding Together Dutchess County what it is.

Serge Cryvoff is approaching a quarter century of service to Rebuilding Together Dutchess County. An effective and compassionate leader, Serge personifies the mission of RTDC with the care and consideration he gives homeowners.

Congratulations Serge!

Please join us on Thursday, September 22nd at Hammers, Nails, Laughs & Cocktails – our 10th Annual Night of Comedy at the Grandview to support the 2016 volunteer award recipients. Tickets are available for purchase until September 10.

Craftsman

Carpenter

Renovator

Collaborator

Apprentice

Poughquag United Methodist Church

Toolbox Heroes

Paid in part by: Administration on Aging, New York State Office for the Aging, Dutchess County Office for the Aging and Dutchess County.

Abdullah and Mehria, in their 60s, have been Beacon residents for the last 13 years. When it was found that their son Bilal, 25, had a brain tumor, surgery was necessary. During this surgery, Bilal suffered from a stroke that placed him in an induced coma for 4 months. As a result of this coma, Bilal has had his mobility and speech compromised and now relies on a wheelchair for mobility.

Their home was not handicap accessible, creating unsafe situations when entering or exiting the home and also when navigating to the second floor. For the past 6 months, Abdullah and Mehria had to carry their son and his wheelchair up multiple stairs. This had already resulted in injury for Abdullah.

This April, RTDC has been able to ease their burdens. An exterior handicap accessible stair lift has been installed on the outside of the home as well as an interior stair lift to gain access to Bilal’s bedroom and the home’s only full bath. RTDC was also able to install a free standing patient lift system within Bilal’s bedroom and full bath. This will assist in getting him from his bed to his wheelchair and also from his wheelchair into the existing bathtub.

These modifications are sure to ease both the emotional and physical stress of providing care for Bilal. Mehria confessed that since the surgery, she has not spent a day without crying. We hope that after receiving our services, her tears are only those of joy.

While we are excited to be able to make a difference in the lives of 6 homeowners, including Abdullah, Mehria and Bilal during National Rebuilding Month, there are still more applicants on our waiting list who we cannot serve because of a lack of funding. With your help, we can make an even bigger difference in the future.

To learn more about how to donate, visit us at rtdutchess.org/get-involved/donate

Become a Housing Hero today! By making a monthly pledge of $30 online you will help Rebuilding Together continue to provide safe and healthy housing for all of our neighbors in need!

Leonard, a retired volunteer fireman and lifelong Hyde Park resident is losing his eyesight. He can no longer afford to make critical repairs to the home he has lived in for over 43 years, the home where he and his late wife raised their children.

Leonard will turn 86 this April, just before RTDC provides life-changing critical home repairs such as replacing his furnace and doors for improved energy efficiency, repairing crumbling stairs, installing grab bars, and painting the interior of the home for improved accessibility and safety.

To learn more about how to donate, visit us at rtdutchess.org/get-involved/donate

Your support celebrates our extraordinary April tradition and ensures a bright future for homeowners like Leonard and for Rebuilding Together Dutchess County!