By: Michelle D’Onofrio, Volunteer Program Officer

The week of May 16-20th was an extremely busy and exciting time for Rebuilding Together New Orleans! In just four days, RTNO welcomed over 650 new and returning volunteers of all ages from across the country to the city of New Orleans. Our returning partners included a group of 10 Order of Malta volunteers and a group of over 30 Goldman Sachs employees.
We also welcomed new student volunteers from East Side Preparatory High School in Kirkland, Washington. Rounding out the week’s volunteers was a group of nearly 600 volunteers from the Hershey Company. These four groups made a lasting impact on seven New Orleans neighborhoods, changing countless lives through their hard work and dedication.

The Order of Malta, a dedicated partner of five years, returns multiple times throughout the year to rebuild each time bringing a small but dedicated group. Working in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, these hard-working volunteers accomplished much in only four short days: building a fence, installing cabinets, and laying flooring.

Forty student volunteers from East Side Preparatory High School worked on playgrounds in the Broadmoor and Lower Ninth Ward neighborhoods. The students showed impressive work ethic, digging holes, busting up and removing concert slabs, and planting trees. It was their commitment to the job that made two parks ready for playgrounds to be installed in June.

The thirty Goldman Sachs volunteers worked diligently on a home in Hollygrove painting and landscaping, transforming not only the home, but the life of the homeowners who have been waiting for nearly six years to go home again. After working with Goldman Sachs in 2006, we are proud to welcome them back this year!

Our largest volunteer group, Hershey’s, left the city of New Orleans with fresh coats of paint, new fences, rejuvenated landscapes—and ultimately sweeter neighborhoods for both residents and visitors alike. With a presence across six neighborhoods in Orleans Parish, Hershey’s volunteers worked on 21 homes and planted over 200 trees. Hershey’s volunteer effort has transformed neighborhoods in Hollygrove, Central City, Broadmoor, Gentilly, Treme, and Lakeview. Work on these 21 homes included interior and exterior paint jobs, cabinet installation, fence builds, landscaping, flooring, and weatherization work. In only one day, these devoted volunteers accomplished so much and changed the lives of homeowners across the city of New Orleans.

Thank you to all of our May volunteers! Each individual made an essential contribution to New Orleans and we cannot thank you enough for all of your hard work, dedication, enthusiasm, and perseverance.

Interested in volunteering with Rebuilding Together New Orleans? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or at 504-636-3058.

Want to sponsor a corporate volunteer event, school trip, or individual opportunity? We welcome all volunteers, regardless of skill level or group size.