U.S. Vets, Phoenix ToolBank’s January Member Agency Spotlight, provides housing, counseling, career development and supportive services to homeless, low-income and disabled veterans.

Recently U.S. Vets partnered with ART Alliance to decorate over 130 veteran rooms as well as their facility. When the opportunity was presented to U.S.Vets, they immediately accepted because this gave them the opportunity to provide elegant and expensive decorating items (mirrors, rugs, pictures, lamps, tables, chairs and accent pieces) to disadvantaged veterans. US Vets expressed to ToolBank that “although the veterans have financial barriers, they deserve the opportunity to experience and live in a nicely decorated environment”.

U.S.Vets had veterans who initially chose not to participate in the event; however, during the event, these veterans started working with the designers to decorate their room. One volunteer stated “it is truly life changing when you can give something (talent, time, decorations) to those less fortunate. At the end of the day, income and status do not matter, people matter”. What moved U.S.VETS about the veterans was their appreciation of the project. Veterans have stated, that they “can’t believe people would do all of ‘this’ for them”.

Phoenix Community ToolBank saved U.S. Vets time, money and stress. Staff shared with ToolBank that their project took 9 months to plan and was a very BIG event. The use of blue tools is how 150 decorators completed the project and got the job done. U.S. Vets staff expressed that ToolBank was extremely organized and professional and ensured we had the tools needed! In reality, U.S. Vets stated they could not have done the scope of work without the ToolBank. They reported they had a high need for many items from levels, screwdrivers, box cutters, hammers, drill etc. To purchase items for the event would have been too costly for both parties, very difficult to organize and obtain the diversity of items we needed. They really don’t know what they would have done without the ToolBank.

Key Facts about Your Volunteer Experience: We partnered with Operation Enduring Gratitude to provide tools and labor for rebuilding a Veterans  home.  Tools were borrowed from Toolbank prior to EOG setting up an account with you.

Date of your Volunteer Project/Event: January and February 2017

Total number of volunteers: 12 and 50+

Brief description of your non-profit organization (1-2 sentences):  The Mission Continues is a veteran volunteer group whos primary purpose is reintegrating returning veterans with problems adjusting to civilian life through service projects.   We get them out in a safe environment with other volunteers who have had similar experiences doing active work that assists other people.   In Phoenix, 1^st Platoon works with parks and rec and 2^nd Platoon works with at risk and disadvantaged youth, both platoons assist other organizations with labor for their volunteer projects. 

Brief description of your volunteer project/event and why your organization chose to undertake it (2-3 sentences):  Operation Enduring Gratitude had boulder fields that needed to be cleared before landscaping could begin at a Veterans home.  The Mission Continues had partnered with OEG prior to this and when labor and wheelbarrows were needed, we used our contacts with Toolbank and called on our teammates to clear the rocks and level the grounds.

Please describe a moment from your volunteer experience that personally impacted you the most (1-3 sentences):  After the first event, a 12 year old girl asked if her helper (me) would be there for the second event.  If by spending a Saturday morning working alongside this girl, letting her take the lead, doing the heavy work she was not capable of handling, I made enough impact to be remembered a month later then it was a successful operation.  

What information about your member agency would you like to share with other Toolbank member agencies, Toolbank donors, and Toolbank volunteers (e.g., upcoming public events)? Check us out on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ TheMissionContinues1stPlatoonP hoenix/?ref=page_internal

If your member agency was a tool, what tool would it be and why?  Handyman tool for its usefulness and versatility

What did you enjoy most about working with the Toolbank?  Don’t have to buy and store all these tools.  Also Jana is so helpful and accommodating.

What is your all-time favorite Toolbank tool or item and why?  Got to be Wheelbarrows as we rent a lot of them.  Allows one person to do the work of many

What does the Toolbank mean to you?  What do you love about the Toolbank organization?  A partnering agency for those items our volunteers need to be successful and you do it with a smile.

 Singleton Moms’ volunteers hope the day will come when cancer has a cure and can no longer threaten lives and rob children of their parents,but until then, these cheerful volunteers tend to tasks and chores that can overwhelm a single parent fighting a terminal illness.
Alma Henriques is a Care Team Specialist at Singleton mom. She contacted Phoenix Community ToolBank last November as she set out to help a single mom with some yard work. Like many Arizonans, this mom had a wily patch of Aloe Vera spreading beyond the confines of pots and planters.  Alma borrowed rakes and shovels from Phoenix ToolBank and with the help of four other volunteers, trimmed back the succulents and cleared away mounds of dead tree debris.
When the indoor and outdoor chores pile up, it can remind patients of their worst days and just how lousy they feel. Alma and her fellow volunteers know that finished chores, tidy yards, and swept porches can help parents focus on the real priorities of caring for their kids and getting healthy. Singleton’s mission reflects this belief, “Meeting the needs of today. Providing hope for tomorrow.”
When asked about her experience with Phoenix ToolBank, Alma told us that she felt supported no matter how many questions she had for Phoenix ToolBank’s Executive Director, Jana Smith.  And anyone who has worked with Jana would likely agree with Alma who described her as “ridiculously friendly and always available.” Alma also loves being able to borrow just about any tool they need to make their mission possible.
Singleton Moms is planning lots more spring cleanings and yard work before the hot summer months kick in. With your support, Phoenix Phoenix Community ToolBank will continue be there for Singleton’s Moms and single parents battling cancer.