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HomeShow Radio and CenterPoint Energy Launch Super Impact 17

HomeShow Radio--featuring Houston's legendary home-repair expert Tom Tynan--supports the work of Rebuilding Together Houston.
Although Tynan is primarily known for his long-time radio program, his cameras were out as Rebuilding Together kicked off Super Impact 17 at the campaign's inaugural Designated Home Repair Project, featuring a volunteer crew from CenterPoint Energy.

 

Rebuilding Together Set To Make A "Super Impact" In Houston

Well aware of the burgeoning tide of the aging Baby Boom generation and the growing numbers of homeowners in Houston having difficulty maintaining in a safe and healthy home, Rebuilding Together Houston is launching its first-ever fundraising campaign called Super Impact 17.

The campaign begins on September 17 with a kickoff rally and luncheon at NRG Stadium and will run 17 months to February of 2017, where it will culminate in conjunction with Super Bowl LI, also set for NRG Stadium. In that time, the organization hopes to raise more than a half million dollars to help it brings its mission to more elderly and military veteran homeowners by "Repairing Homes; Restoring Hope."

"The need is substantial," says Jim Soller, executive director for Rebuilding Together Houston. "We know that Houston has a heart for service and giving success, so we're confident in our ability to reach our goal."

Rebuilding Together provides no-cost home repair to elderly low-income homeowners and military veterans. In its nearly 35 years of existence, the organization has performed more than 22,000 projects in Houston, currently providing assistance to more than 350 homeowners each year. By the year 2020, Rebuilding Together seeks to double its impact in Houston. Helping more people takes more money.

"Most of the houses we restore require some sort of critical systems work," Soller says. "That ranges from roof replacement to foundation repair to overhauling electrical wiring or plumbing within the home. And then once we complete that, usually we enlist volunteers to do exterior renovation such as siding replacement and painting.

Rebuilding Together has chosen the West Club of NRG Stadium as the location for its campaign kickoff rally in part because of the organization's long-standing national relationship with the National Football League.

"That relationship goes back 20 years," says Soller. "Rebuilding Together has been a "Super Bowl charity" each of the last 20 years, including in 2004 here in Houston.

"We anticipate continuing that relationship when the Super Bowl returns to Houston in 2017, so we're getting a 17-month head start."

Key to the campaign will be Designated Home Sponsorships in which the organization enlists local support for the sponsorship of select homes for repair. Work on these dedicated homes will be underwritten by local corporate or organizational sponsors, who also will be asked to provide volunteer work crews to complete a home's transformation.

"We've used the volunteer home repair model since our inception in 1982," Soller says. "Through our Super Impact 17 campaign, we look to bring many more businesses and employee groups into our fold. And for the first time, we'll also be welcoming individuals to join our volunteer cause."

In addition to it;s largest level of giving, the Designated Home Sponsorships, Soller says there will be several other levels of giving to enable more Houstonians to participate in the campaign. A complete rundown of giving levels is available on Rebuilding Together's Super Impact 17 campaign website www.GoalToGo.org

"There may be no more satisfying volunteer opportunity than to work on a Rebuilding Together home," says Soller. Not only do you get to see the progress of your labors, but also you witness the difference your work makes in the life of someone a little less fortunate than yourself.

"The look on the faces of their homeowners when they seem their old home look like new again is well worth the investment to time or money. And not only does that work make an impact on the individuals. Our involvement in the community makes for better and stronger neighborhoods and, in fact, enhances the fabric of the entire Houston area."

Soller goes on to say that Rebuilding Together exists because, for many elderly people there is no place like home.

For more information, contact Julie Mintzer at Rebuilding Together Houston.