Weidner Cares is in Phoenix, AZ. to help 3 non-profit organizations![/caption] Three times is a charm for the Weidner Cares team in Arizona, where nearly 300 volunteers partnered to help three amazing nonprofit organizations. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY in Tucson At Habitat for Humanity in Tucson, the team worked to help build homes for those in need. Habitat for Humanitys mission is Creating a more compassionate and just world, Habitat for Humanity Tucson brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope, with a vision of, A world where everyone has a decent place to live. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to have a decent life. We deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures. They accomplish this mission by building and repairing homes in partnership with the community and local families, which are then sold to families with a 0% interest loan through their Own a Home program. The volunteer event was held on Friday the 13th and all of the workers who came to assist from Habitat came dressed in their best Camp Crystal Lake gear from the movie Friday the 13th, making the event even more interesting and festive! The Weidner team was in charge of putting up exterior walls on three of the six houses at the project site. Each volunteer helped with construction in some way, whether it was lifting the walls into place, pounding in nails, or helping gather supplies. HOMEWARD BOUND in Phoenix In Phoenix, the Weidner Cares team partnered with Homeward Bound. Homeward Bound is a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of families who are experiencing homelessness. Their mission is Homelessness affects thousands of children and families in Maricopa County, Arizona every year. Our program provides families with not just housing but a real pathway out of poverty so they never become homeless again. Homeward Bound provides families with housing and services for 12-24 months to help them regroup and get back on their feet. The Weidner team painted the facility inside and out, starting from the offices, to the stairwells, to the outdoor railings. They also cleaned play structures, cleaned several of their housing units, and pressure washed the facility. Between the fresh coat of paint and the cleaning, the facility looked good as new. Homeward Bound also offers free childcare services to the families they serve. The team helped to revamp one of the classrooms by repainting, cleaning, and organizing, resulting in a warm and comfortable environment for the children who are there to learn and play. Of all the volunteer groups I have dealt with over the years, the Weidner Apartment Homes volunteer group was by far the most organized, responsive and fun group I have had the pleasure of working with. You are an amazing organization with AMAZING staff!! said Tracey Lane, Senior Development Manager at Homeward Bound. UMOM in Phoenix For the last event, the team partnered with UMOM New Day Centers. This was Weidners second year in a row partnering with this organization, giving the team a rare opportunity to see the result of their hard work and efforts. UMOM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness and is currently the largest shelter for homeless families in the state of Arizona. UMOM helps keep families together, by providing a continuum of care from emergency shelter, to transitional housing, to permanent affordable housing. UMOM is a place of hope. Hope rebuilds lives. The Weidner team worked throughout the facility, cleaning out garden beds, restriping the parking lot, cleaning out old storage areas, and painting the exterior of the buildings. The team also spent time revamping the cafeteria where all of the families socialize and dine. The team buffed the floors, painted the walls, and cleaned every surface, for a fresh, much-needed makeover. One of the larger projects of the day was to organize clothing donations that were given to UMOM. The clothing donations serve a dual purpose to clothe families in need, as well as serve as inventory that supports their on-site thrift store. The Weidner team worked diligently to sort through all of the donations and put them to good use. Many thanks to all your great energy and organizational skills in pulling together the Weidner Community Day! We so appreciate of everything your team did for the UMOM family! Our campus is brighter and well-polished because of the compassionate hearts of your colleagues, said Robin Telle, Volunteer Manager at UMOM. The Weidner team wishes to thank all those who lent their time and talents to these three wonderful organizations. We are proud to assist you as you make such a tremendous difference in the lives of others. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you! What matters to you, matters to us! -The Weidner Team
