For Immediate Release: April 15, 2008
Contact: Communications Specialist
Lisa Wilson, 303-538-7282
Thornton Policy Planner
Susanna Sotelo, 303-538-7587

Thornton hosts Neighbors Helping Neighbors Day

Volunteers to clean-up and repair homes on April 26

THORNTON, CO…On Saturday, April 26 the dust will be flying at some homes in Thornton. That’s when over 75 of volunteers will come together for Rebuilding Days. It’s part of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative where volunteers repair the homes of low-income senior citizens.  “The purpose Rebuilding Days is to increase community pride through volunteers coming together to enhance the original Thornton neighborhoods,” says Thornton Policy Planner Susanna Sotelo.

For the April 26 event, efforts will focus on three homes that have been ‘adopted’ by City of Thornton staff, Keep Thornton Beautiful and the Denver North Metro Rotary. Two of the homes are owned by grandparents raising grandchildren and the other is owned by a woman who was an active volunteer herself until she became disabled. The event is coordinated through a local non-profit organization, Rebuilding Together Metro Denver, whose mission is to work in partnership with the community to rehabilitate the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so that they may continue to live in warmth, safety and independence.

City staff including members from Community Services, City Development, City Manager's Office, and Fire Station 1 will help with repairs. “Repairs must be structurally related to the house or pose a safety hazard,” says Sotelo. “Eligible repairs can include wheelchair ramps, handrail and grab bars, light plumbing, painting, weatherizing, furnace repair, and more.” 

Local businesses, including Starbucks, Big City Burrito/Subway, King Soopers, Safeway, Wal-Mart, Sam's will do their part with donations of drinks and food. Thanks to the Church of God for their part in soliciting donations.  

For more information about the event, call Susanna Sotelo at 303-538-7587 or go to www.cityofthornton.net.

 

###