On Saturday April 28, Rebuilding Together Dutchess County joined Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country to complete their annual National Rebuilding Day. Working on 10 projects throughout Dutchess County, Rebuilding Together Dutchess County partnered with local and national businesses and organizations to improve the lives of low-income elderly, disabled, and veteran homeowners at no cost to those they served.

Over 400 volunteers donated their time to help the homeowners in need, including four veteran's families, a disabled father, and an elderly grandmother caring for her grandchildren. Rebuilding Together Dutchess County provides these repairs to return homeowners to a warm, safe, dry, and independent environment.

"It's a lot of hard work, but the payoff comes at the end of the project at the end of the day when you walk away and you see what you've accomplished and you see the smile on the homeowner's face. That's where you make the real difference," said Chris Rottkamp, house captain for the Central Hudson sponsored project.

The 10 projects were sponsored by Arlington Teachers Association, Central Hudson, Elant, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Hyde Park United Methodist Church, IBM, Leadership Dutchess, M&T Bank, Meyer Contracting, The Pines at Poughkeepsie, Poughquag United Methodist Church and Sears Holdings Corporation.

Some of the work done by volunteers included roof replacements, fixing damaged wiring, installing new walkways, fixing gutters, removing damaged insulation, painting, replacing broken windows, and restoring unsafe doors and doorways.

"It never ceases to amaze me how much work our volunteers can do," said Executive Director Christina Boryk. "This is our twentieth year and I am always impressed with how our skilled volunteers lead their teams through each project. Everyone leaves with the feeling of knowing they helped to change a neighbor's life and that is something that will stay with them forever."