Project Spotlight: A ToolBank Member's Inspiring Work
Jamie ToolBank • May 7, 2025
Project Spotlight: A ToolBank Member's Inspiring Work
We’re not sure how we’re already in May, but we’re fully embracing the arrival of busy season.
Last month alone, our tools empowered a remarkable :
- 1,972 volunteers to successfully complete 141 impactful projects right here in the Richmond area.
- 30+ local nonprofits leveraged our resources, investing just over $7,000 to access essential tools and event equipment valued at a staggering $123,000.
This not only represents significant cost savings for these vital organizations but also highlights how ToolBank plays a crucial role in alleviating resource scarcity and easing the burden of tool storage and maintenance.
Now, this is nothing new - but I absolutely love hearing from our members & here’s a testimonial from SOAR365 following a volunteer session they hosted (and is also now one of my favorite member photo submissions too).
- ”Their wide selection of tools, available at a relatively low cost, allows us to allocate more resources toward our mission while ensuring our projects are equipped with everything needed for success. , Their inventory has empowered our volunteers to tackle tasks with confidence and efficiency, helping us create lasting positive change in our community. Thank you for making such an incredible impact!”
- One of their volunteers recapped it beautifully, “Our team felt deeply fulfilled—not only because we could see the immediate results of our efforts but also because we were contributing to a place that brings so much joy and connection to our community."
Imagine the incredible impact of countless projects throughout our community every single day, all fueled by the support, inspiration, and expertise from our very own tool lending warehouse right here in RVA. This vital work simply wouldn't be possible without the incredible dedication of our network – the generous hours volunteers pour into preparing tool orders and the crucial donations that power our transformative Tools for Change program.
Feeling that spark to get more involved in this mission? Well, we’ve got some good news for you! As we dive headfirst into our busy season, the need for extra hands and vital funds grows. Explore the options below to discover the perfect way for you to contribute and help us build a stronger, more resourceful Richmond, one project at a time.
VOLUNTEER WITH US
JOIN OUR MONTHDONOR PROGRAM
Signing off to celebrate Cinco de Mayo a few days later. Wishing you a delicious beverage and a satisfying bowl of queso (or salsa, if that's what your thing!) in the days ahead.
Cheers,
Jamie
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
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ToolBOX receives game-changing grant from Impact 100 Richmond
Learn how our Tools for Change program has impacted two local nonprofits supporting Richmond communities.
Hi, hellooooo! Another quarter has flown by, and we're excited to share the incredible accomplishments we've achieved TOGETHER! Our warehouse has been buzzing with activity, providing tools, equipment, and expertise to our extensive network of Tools for Change member agencies. We've completed 418 projects with the help of 6,464 dedicated volunteers. Over 6,400 tools have been checked out, and our members have spent $11,872.38 to borrow tools valued at $321,442.98. Thanks to the amazing work of the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River, trash and invasive species were removed from popular trails, Hanover County Parks and Recreation built picnic tables, removed invasive species and beautified landscapes across Hanover County during a Day of Service! And finally, our event equipment was put to good use by Diversity Thrift during their Big Gay Market hosted the 2nd Sunday of every month - and what makes these events special is that they raise funds supporting LGBTQ families & artists. We've also been busy giving back to our community through our Building Change sessions. Thanks to the efforts of 323 volunteers, we've donated 67 picnic tables, 36 park benches, 15 compost bins, 5 Adirondack chairs, and more to local community partners like New Kent Parks & Recreation , Louisa County Public Schools , and Chesterfield Foodbank . And finally, our ToolBOX workshops have continued to be a valuable resource for our community. We've provided 8 hours of hands-on training to 22 participants, covering topics like advanced saws, drywall, and power tool basics. Together, we've made a significant impact on our community. Let's continue this momentum and keep empowering our neighbors to create positive change. Yours in gratitude, Jamie