Feeling Extra Grateful this Holiday Season
Jamie ToolBank • December 4, 2023
Celebrating 2023 while looking forward to 2024
As we approach the end of 2023, we are thrilled to reflect on the incredible strides we've made together through our Annual Fund Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we've raised an impressive $10,434.07 out of our $15,000 goal, propelling our Tools for Change program to new heights.
With 2024 only 28 days away, we’re feeling a little reflective, and I wanted to share some highlights that we’ve accomplished together. When you join us as a volunteer or build a picnic table with us during a Building Change session, donate some of your hard-earned money or read our eNewsletters, you are apart of our community. Meaning, our accomplishments are YOUR accomplishments, and let’s take a beat to celebrate this!
- Project Milestones: From January through today (Dec 4th), our Tools for Change program has been a catalyst for transformative projects. We are proud to announce the completion of 1,001 projects by our member agencies. These initiatives have positively impacted communities, leaving a lasting mark on the community we serve & live within.
- Volunteer Engagement: Our commitment to community engagement shines through the numbers - 13,959 volunteers were equipped and ready to make a difference. It's more than a statistic; it's a testament to the power of collective action and the spirit of giving back.
- Tools and Savings: The impact goes beyond the projects themselves. Our member agencies have borrowed 18,793 tools while saving a staggering $796,748.90. Every tool within our 10,000 tool-lending warehouse represents an opportunity for positive change, and the cost savings directly contribute to maximizing the efficiency of our initiatives.
- Outdoor Furniture and Building Change Participants: The tangible results of our efforts are seen in the 620 outdoor furniture pieces built and the 1,706 Building Change participants who have picked up a power driver and gotten a little dirty at our warehouse. Each piece of furniture and every participant represents a step towards creating sustainable, vibrant communities.
- Amplifying Your Donation: What makes our Annual Fund Campaign unique is the direct connection between your donation and community impact. Every dollar raised goes directly to our Tools for Change program, magnifying its effect by 33 times through our 3% tool tending fee. This ensures that your contribution isn't just a donation; it's an investment in community growth and positive transformation.
As we celebrate the progress made thus far, we want to express our deepest gratitude to each supporter who has played a role in this journey. Together, we've turned dreams of change into a reality. As we look ahead, your continued support will drive us to reach new heights, enabling us to expand our reach and deepen our impact in communities that need it most.
If you’re feeling extra giving after reading some quick highlights from what we’ve been up to at your local community ToolBank and want to help us exceed our 2023 fundraising goals, this LINK is your opportunity to make our day a little brighter!
Thank you for being a vital part of our mission for change.
Jamie Frieling
Project Spotlight: A ToolBank Member's Inspiring Work
Morgan has joined the ToolBank team as our ToolBOX Program Coordinator.
Summer Schedule is HERE + some big news for ToolBOX!
Last post, we shared the progress our Tools for Change program made in Q1 and now, we’re covering Building Change & our ToolBOX workshops (psstt - we’ve got some exciting news on that front). Building Change: Hands-On Heroes! Our Building Change volunteers have been busy bees, and the results are simply beautiful! In Q1, 110 dedicated individuals put their skills and energy to work, hand-building 45 gorgeous outdoor pieces . Imagine relaxing on one of the 23 picnic tables or 17 park benches crafted with care, or adding a touch of green with the 3 planter benches and 2 Adirondack chairs . These thoughtfully crafted items have been donated to vital community spaces such as Richmond Public Libraries , Shalom Farms , and the All City Arts Club , creating tangible improvements that everyone can enjoy. It's amazing to see the direct impact of your hands-on contributions! 🎉 HUGE News for ToolBOX! Welcome, Morgan! 🎉 Get ready to pop the confetti because we have some seriously exciting news to share about our ToolBOX program! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we've welcomed Morgan Day as our first full-time Program Coordinator! Morgan's passion, dedication, and expertise are truly infectious, and having her in a full-time role is going to be a game-changer for our homeowner workshops. Get ready for an even wider range of diverse topics, more convenient scheduling options, and even more expert-led learning opportunities designed to help you level up your DIY skills and tackle those home projects with confidence! We're so stoked to see ToolBOX flourish under Morgan's leadership. Here's a peek at the skills being unlocked through ToolBOX: We hosted 8 total workshops Covering topics from Power Tools 101 and Drywall to Home Energy , Home Maintenance , and Electrical basics . That's 14 hours of valuable instruction delivered! With 71 enthusiastic participants learning new skills. And the feedback has been fantastic! Here's what some of our participants had to say: "Our teacher was great! I felt comfortable asking "silly" questions and the answers she provided were well considered and informative." "These workshops have been so informative! I appreciate the ability to practice and ask questions relevant to my experience and home projects." Feeling Inspired? Let's Keep the Momentum Going! 💪 Want to continue being a vital part of the ToolBank's mission to empower change? Here's how you can get even more involved: Volunteer Your Time: Join our friendly team every Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM . Every helping hand makes a significant difference in keeping our operations running smoothly! Donate to Fuel Change: Your financial contributions directly support our Tools for Change program, enabling us to equip even more community projects with the resources they need to thrive. Donate today and be a catalyst for good: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/646752/donate Build with Your Team: Looking for a rewarding and impactful team-building activity? Organize a custom Building Change session! Email Toby at toby@richmondtoolbank.org to schedule your team build and make a tangible difference together. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being such an essential part of the ToolBank family and for helping us build a stronger, more vibrant Central Virginia. We're absolutely thrilled to see what incredible things we can accomplish together in the rest of 2025! Cheers, Jamie
Wow, Q1 already in the rearview mirror? Time really does fly when you're making a difference! We here at the ToolBank are absolutely buzzing with excitement to share the incredible impact we've made together in the first three months of 2025. Get ready to high-five yourself, because you played a HUGE part in all of this! Tools for Change 🛠️ Our flagship Tools for Change program continues to be the heart and soul of what we do, providing vital resources to the amazing organizations working tirelessly in our community. And let us tell you, your support has been nothing short of phenomenal! We were so touched by the heartfelt words from Start 1 Spark , " Grateful to have the ToolBank as a resource!" 🙌 That simple sentence speaks volumes about the impact we're creating together. This past quarter, thanks to you, we equipped a staggering 96 community projects with over $102,000 worth of tools ! Can you believe it? That's a whole lot of hammers, drills, and saws getting into the hands of those who need them most. This incredible achievement was powered by the dedication of 2,399 amazing volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and put these tools to work. We also had the privilege of hearing firsthand from organizations like Tech for Troops about the significant savings they achieved on essential equipment. They shared that by borrowing from the ToolBank, they saved a bundle on chairs, tables, and safety cones, allowing them to host 300 guests for a crucial event while staying within budget. Stories like these truly highlight the real and tangible change our tools facilitate. Here's a snapshot of the impact: 96 total projects empowered 2,399 dedicated volunteers equipped 2,824 essential tools borrowed A whopping $102,396.72 value of tools in action! And our members only spent a collective $6,536.26 to access these vital resources. We're so proud to support incredible organizations like Henrico County HEART , Sacred Heart Center , Tech for Troops , Woodland Restoration Foundation , Start 1 Spark , and Rise Against Hunger . Each of these groups is making a real difference in Central Virginia, and we're honored to play a part in their success. In our next post, we’ll cover our two other programs - Building Change & ToolBOX. Stay tuned… Until then, we’re hoping you’re finding ways to enjoy the spring sunshine!
Check out the newest addition to the Buttermilk Trail - courtesy of Friends of the James River.
Achieve Your Home Goals This Year with ToolBOX
2024 in Review: Building Change, Tools for Change, and So Much More!
ToolBOX receives game-changing grant from Impact 100 Richmond
Learn how our Tools for Change program has impacted two local nonprofits supporting Richmond communities.