This Saturday, more than 90 Tacoma Public Utilities employees will volunteer their time and talents to help others be safe and comfortable where they live. Employee volunteers will work at two locations in Tacoma: an AIDS Housing Association home and the home of an elderly woman whose house needs significant repair.
Both projects are in partnership with Rebuilding Together South Sound.
AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma – 301 N. L St., Tacoma
When people living with HIV/AIDS need a place to go, the AIDS Housing Association is there for them. Tacoma Public Utilities employees will help make sure their home is an even better place to live by updating the interior painting, electrical work, carpentry and landscaping.
To add something special to the site, employees will build a new memorial garden in honor of people who once lived at the house, but died from HIV/AIDS.
Annette’s Home – 2040 S. 15th St., Tacoma
When Annette applied for help with Rebuilding Together South Sound, she may not have known all the good things she was in for.
Annette will benefit from Tacoma Public Utilities’ employees efforts, but with a special bonus: the generosity of three of Tacoma Power business partners. CSI HVAC, Boulton Insulation and South Tacoma Glass donated their time and materials to provide Annette a new ductless heat pump, floor and attic insulation and an energy-efficient sliding glass door for her home.
The energy efficiency improvements cost $7,740. The business partners donated $5,400 toward the project, while a Tacoma Power rebate paid the remaining $2,340.
“We work with these contractors regularly as they install energy efficiency upgrades at our customers’ homes,” said Nancy Oakley, Tacoma Power conservation assistant manager. “I’m impressed by their generosity and willingness to help someone in need.”
The improvements support Tacoma Power’s goal of increasing energy efficiency to avoid purchasing other, more expensive electricity sources to serve customers.
On Saturday, Tacoma Public Utilities employees will secure interior and exterior railings, install safety grab bars, paint interior walls and windowsills, repair walls and do other maintenance and cleanup work at Annette’s home.
Rebuilding Together South Sound chose Tacoma Public Utilities employees to work at those two sites to take full advantage of their unique skills and resources, especially in the areas of electrical and carpentry work. Both projects go a long way toward supporting Tacoma Public Utilities’ mission to provide vital services and Rebuilding’s mission to keep disabled and elderly people living in safe, warm, dry homes.
Work will start at 8 a.m. and finish by 5 p.m.
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About Tacoma Public Utilities
Established in 1893, Tacoma Public Utilities is one of the oldest municipal utilities in the nation. Nearly 1,300 employees work in three divisions: Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail.
About Rebuilding Together South Sound
Rebuilding Together South Sound established in 2001 and is part of the national Rebuilding Together organization. The volunteer, charitable group repairs and rebuilds homes at no cost to low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, disabled or families with children.