Give us a little history of your organization.
Rebuilding Together started with the simple act of neighbors helping neighbors. In 1973, a small group of people in Midland, Texas, realized a growing need in their community. Homes in their community had fallen into disrepair, and their neighbors could not afford to fix them on their own. The group volunteered their time and skills to rehabilitate the homes of their neighbors. Realizing the potential impact of this work, the group formed Christmas in April, with the intent of performing repair and rehabilitation work in their community every April.
News of the group’s good work spread slowly, but eventually achieved national recognition. The mission spread beyond the idea of providing service once a year in April to bringing together partners from all walks of life to help our neighbors year-round. We became Rebuilding Together and opened the national office in 1988.
Today, Rebuilding Together has grown into a premier nonprofit community revitalization organization.
Since being chartered in 1997, Rebuilding Together Greater Bismarck/Mandan, has become one of the leading volunteer organizations in the Capital City. The organization is dedicated to helping low-income homeowners in Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota live in warmth, safety, and independence. Rebuilding Together works in partnership with local corporations; foundations and civic, educational, religious, and community organizations to “rebuild” houses and communities. All of the work is performed by volunteer laborers, utilizing donated materials and resources, at no cost to the homeowner with the work being done on a one-day blitz, usually on the last Saturday in April or beginning of May.
Our local chapter has raised more than $1,176,154 in cash and in-kind gifts, and more than 6,234 local volunteers have pitched in to help rehabilitate more than 170 homes and/or area charitable nonprofit sites throughout the Bismarck-Mandan community.
How are you different from other organizations like yours?
Every year we hold our Annual Rebuilding Together Greater Bismarck-Mandan Area Bowling Tournament and Silent Auction at Midway Lanes. Each year we choose a different theme and 52 teams come together to raise money and raise awareness for our organization. We also collect non-perishable food items that are donated after the event to a local food pantry. We held a raffle for the first time in 2018 that was well received and very successful. All the proceeds raised at the event are used to purchase supplies or materials for our Rebuilding Day.
What is Rebuilding Day?
Many of our neighbors cannot provide themselves with the basics we take for granted. Typical home improvements include replacing floors and carpeting, improving plumbing and heating, replacing unsafe electrical wiring, replacing kitchen appliances, installing handicap accessible devices and ramps, painting (exterior and interior), plaster repairs, replacing or repairing drafty windows and doors, and installing smoke and CO2 detectors. In addition to making a home safe, warm and dry, our volunteers also do yard work.
Homeowners must:
- Own/reside in their home
- Have current home insurance
- Owe no back taxes
- Include older persons, persons with disabilities, or be a low-income family
- Be unable to do the repairs themselves
- Applicants may refer themselves or be referred by an agency, organization, family member, neighbor, church, or others.
How can people donate or get involved?
Anyone can donate or get involved by visiting our website, rebuildingtogetherbisman.com. Like or share our Facebook page Rebuilding Together – Bismarck/Mandan. Or email us at rebuildbisman@hotmail.com. Involvement can include serving on our board, serving on a committee, or simply by volunteering during Rebuilding Day.
What are your needs right now if someone would like to help?
We are super excited to have just finished seven projects during our 2018 Rebuilding Day in May. We invite any individuals interested in learning how to be a house captain or a co-captain in 2019. We also accept applications all year long if you know any individuals who would qualify next year.