Behind the Scenes with Lou Wood – RT-AFF Stair Lift Expert
Lou developed a process that ensures the donated stair lifts are in good working order and can be safely re-used, spending about 10 hours on each donated stair lift.
Allen Schirmer, Founding Board Member, Retires
by Bruce Jolly, RT-AFF Board Member
Allen Schimer, Bruce Jolly and Tony Poole (l-r)
Allen Schirmer, one of Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church’s founders and Treasurer of the Board of Directors, recently retired from our Board. Allen’s retirement from the Board comes with a sense of gratitude on all fronts.
Allen began volunteering with Christmas in April, the precursor to Rebuilding Together, in 1988. The rector of our church, St. Peter’s Episcopal in Arlington, asked him to take on the church’s first project. Knowing that having a partner would make things easier, Allen recruited me. We’ve been RT-AFF partners for 32 years and I’m grateful he brought me along on this journey.
In 2010, Patti Klein asked me to participate in a focus group to talk about how to develop a new nonprofit organization, as they had been operating as a program of another nonprofit at the time and it became clear what we needed to become an independent organization. I said yes, as long as Allen could come too.
Allen volunteered to serve as Treasurer for the new nonprofit – Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church, Inc. He set up strong financial controls and developed indicators of financial health to make Rebuilding Together – AFF a successful organization. The solid financial groundwork he laid is helping us weather the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Part of the magic of Rebuilding Together – AFF is our volunteers and teams. Allen and I have had a lot of fun repairing 33 homes with our St. Peter’s team for National Rebuilding Day (NRD), RT-AFF’s signature annual event in April. It’s always a pleasure to stand with Allen at the end of a project and thank the homeowner for allowing us into their life. The ability to bring hope and a safer place to live to a neighbor in need is an incredible opportunity for both the homeowners and the volunteers. Sharing this with Allen has brought great joy to everyone involved.
Allen and I have had many successes and met more than a few challenges as NRD House Captains. We’ve learned something from every homeowner we’ve helped. NRD boils down to three important lessons. First, we make homes safer and more livable. Second, our teams learn incredibly valuable lessons about working together in new ways. Finally, it’s a great feeling to know our effort has given those we assist the feeling they can carry on because we can do more with many hands than they could do alone. These lessons also illuminate the way I feel about having worked so closely with Allen for 32 years.
I speak for the entire Rebuilding Together – AFF Board, staff and our community of volunteers and homeowners to thank Allen for his 32 years of dedicated service. We appreciate his leadership and his dedication to excellence. We are grateful for his many contributions to Rebuilding Together – AFF’s success so our neighbors in need can live in safe and healthy homes. We wish Allen all the best as he leaves the board and moves to a new community to be closer to family and grandchildren.
All Projects Postponed due to Risk of COVID-19
To protect our volunteers, homeowners, and staff and reduce the risk of community-spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Rebuilding Together-AFF has decided to postpone all National Rebuilding Day, RT Express and other year round projects and activities until further notice. All home visits, home assessments and workdays must be postponed until at least May 1st. In late April we will review the situation, evaluate the risk and reevaluate the schedule with our partners and volunteers.Although our offices will be closed for a couple of weeks, we will be working remotely and available to talk and help you navigate any issues that arise.
We are accepting applications for free home repairs and we are taking phone calls so please reach out to us if you have questions or need assistance.
We appreciate your support and understanding as we try to do our part to “flatten the curve” of virus spread. We look forward to getting back to our hands-on work when it is possible.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19
More information regarding COVID-19 can be found on the website of the
Please check additional guidance from local authorities.
Arlington County – https://health.arlingtonva.us/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/
Fairfax County – https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/coronavirus-updates
City of Falls Church – https://www.fallschurchva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=975
2020 IFDA-DC Masquerade Ball Benefitting Rebuilding Together – AFF
Event Update!
The 2020 Masquerade Ball hosted by the International Furnishings and Design Association – DC Chapter (IFDA-DC) raised almost $9,000 for RT-AFF’s programs. We want to express our thanks and appreciation to all of the IFDA-DC volunteers who worked long and hard to make the Ball an amazing and successful event in support of safe and healthy housing. Little did we know that a week after the Masquerade Ball we would be working from home and practicing social distancing.
Pictured above from left to right are Chris Gribbs (RT-AFF Board Member), Patti Klein (RT-AFF Executive Director), Laura Hildebrandt (IFDA-DC Volunteer), Michele Fick (IFDA-DC Board Member), Jean Edwards (RT-AFF Board Member), Debbie Harp (IFDA-DC Board Member), Andrew Dumont (RT-AFF Board Member) and Rebecca Penno (IFDA-DC President).
Rebuilding Together – AFF is Top-Rated Nonprofit for 2019
“We are honored to be named a 2019 Top-Rated Nonprofit,” says Patti Klein, RT-AFF Executive Director.
“We are proud of our 
accomplishments his year and want to extend our thanks and share this award with all of our volunteers and supporters.”
The Top-Rated Nonprofit Award is the based on the rating and number of reviews that Rebuilding Together – AFF received from volunteers, donors
and homeowners. One of our reviewers wrote “Volunteering with RT-AFF has been very enlightening as far as seeing others in need, and how kindhearted volunteers step up to help when and where they can. This non-profit brings out the best in people, and has been a heartwarming experience for me personally.”
“Rebuilding Together – AFF is a great example of a nonprofit making a real difference in their community,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “Their award is well-deserved recognition not only of their work, but the tremendous support they receive, as shown by the outstanding reviews they have received from people who have direct experience volunteering with them.”
American Trucks Positive Payload Program Supports RT-AFF
Rebuilding Together – AFF is pleased to announce that we’ve received a contribution from the American Trucks Positive Payload Program. American Trucks established the Positive Payload program in April 2017 to support non-profit organizations using pickup trucks in field work that improves local communities.
RT-AFF doesn’t own a truck, but we are fortunate that a several of our volunteers regularly bring their trucks to help us get materials and supplies to our project sites to help homeowners in need in our community.
You can learn more about the Positive Payload program here: https://www.americantrucks.com/positive-payload.html
Pictured below are (l-r) Scott Cambell, Doug Chapin, Alberto Chalmeta, Rich DiGiovanna, and Dick Meyers. The truck belongs to Dick Meyers, who’s been volunteering for Rebuilding Together-AFF more than 20 years. The team was making repairs for a Fairfax homeowner including repairing her back fence and shed door, air sealing her attic for energy efficiency, and installing a grab bar, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a fire extinguisher.
RT-AFF Welcomes Dawn Wilson to our Board of Directors
We are very pleased to welcome new board member Dawn Wilson.
Dawn brings extensive legal and real estate experience to our Board of Directors. Dawn strongly believes in the power of community and how everyone can help each other. She looks for the win-win in every situation and how she can make connections to bring the right people together for the best solutions. “I enjoy working to improve my community and I’m very impressed with Rebuilding Together – AFF. Patti’s dedication, along with the dedication of the board, staff and volunteers, is making our community better,” remarked Dawn. “I understand the challenges of aging in place and I’m looking forward to helping people in need continue to live safely in their own homes.”
Dawn is a Certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) and has gone through specialized training to understand the special needs of senior citizens. She’s also certified in divorce real estate and probate real estate, areas where special understanding of the sensitivities and dynamics of her clients is critical to successfully representing and caring for them. Dawn is married with two children and has lived in Arlington for over 26 years. She’s worked in both law and real estate, developing her expertise as a “connector” to help clients, colleagues and the non-profit organizations she serves find great solutions. Dawn is a Realtor® with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. She graduated from New York University School of Law with a JD in 1993 and from Hofstra University in 1989, summa cum laude, with a BBA in Finance and Banking.
Fannie Mae – 7 Days to SERVE
We couldn’t have asked for better weather or a more dedicated group of volunteers as we partnered with Fannie Mae during 7 Days to SERVE, their concentrated week of community service activities. During 7 Days to SERVE Fannie Mae employees volunteer with non-profit partners like Rebuilding Together -AFF who provide services to address housing related issues and build more sustainable communities. “7 Days to SERVE gives us the opportunity to support the communities where we live and work,” said Carla Nelson, Community Relations Specialist. “And it helps our employees by fostering long lasting relationships, provides leadership opportunities and helps people grow both personally and professionally.”
On our first day together a team of Fannie Mae volunteers made safety repairs for Mrs. B at her home in Arlington. She’s lived there for 51 years and takes great pride in making sure things are neat and tidy, but larger repairs and maintenance projects are beyond her means and abilities. That’s why volunteers like the Fannie Mae team are important.
“I wanted a project that was not only going to help someone in need, but also let me and my team get out of the office, get a little dirty and work with our hands,” said Fannie Mae team leader Mark Ribeiro. “Since we are an IT organization we spend a lot of time doing “brain” work. Volunteering to help RT-AFF and Mrs. B gave my group an opportunity to bond, and perhaps try some tasks/tools that were new to them.” Read more
Meet Jon Armstrong – RT-AFF Director of Programs
Jon Armstrong
Jon Armstrong joined our staff in January as Director of Programs. Born in Canada, Jon spent the first half of his career in Toronto in the construction industry. In 1993 he moved his family, including two small children, to Costa Rica to pursue his passion for construction in the growing tropical market. Over the course of 24 years Jon built 75 homes around San Jose, Costa Rica. He employed a diverse workforce of 60 including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons and painters, and oversaw the work of subcontractors. In 2017 his wife’s company relocated them to Arlington so Jon closed his business. As a retiree he enjoyed getting to know Arlington, remodeled his new home and re-learned how to live in four seasons.
Fortunately, RT-AFF Board Member Allen Schirmer met Jon during the Arlington Home and Garden Show and eagerly recruited him to volunteer. Jon worked on several projects with our year-round volunteers including building ramps, replacing a sliding glass door and installing a stair lift. When Jon learned that the Director of Programs position was open he re-evaluated how he was spending his time in Arlington and applied for the position. “I was a workaholic and enjoyed running my company and building homes for executives and business owners in Costa Rica,” he said. “I served on community boards of directors but I never had a hands-on role in a non-profit. I’m looking forward to giving back.”
“Jon has an incredible background in residential development and project management,” remarked Patti Klein, Executive Director. “We saw his passion and drive to do great work while he was a volunteer and that made a big impact on our hiring decision.”
Jon jumped right in and is feeling at home. He’s been working with staff to learn our processes, meeting with homeowners to assess homes and understand the needs in our community and gearing up for National Rebuilding Day. “I’m looking forward to meeting all of our House Captains and key volunteers and learning from everyone,” stated Jon. We hope that each one of you gets a chance to meet Jon soon and tell him about your experiences helping our neighbors live in safe and healthy homes.
USAA Grant Funds Deep Repairs for a Veteran in Alexandria
Mr. S proudly served in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam and then spent 40 years working for the Washington Post. His wife was employed by the General Services Administration and they enjoyed being part of their community. But ten years ago Mrs. S became disabled and Mr. S retired to become her full-time care-giver. He built a wheelchair ramp so he could bring her home from rehab and then safely get her out of the house to go to doctor’s appointments. He was grateful that he could bring her home and take care of her so she didn’t have to live in a nursing home but over the years as his health declined he could no longer keep up with home repairs and the ramp had deteriorated and become unsafe. He applied to Rebuilding Together – AFF after learning about our work from a home health aide and a grant from USAA allowed us to rebuild the ramp and make extensive repairs in other areas of the couple’s home.
Twenty-nine volunteers signed on to help with the project. The first team arrived on site on a frosty morning and got right to work demolishing the old ramp. They quickly filled a 20-yard dumpster with the debris and the team leaders developed the plan to construct the new ramp. The ramp came together like clockwork in one day as the volunteers stepped into their roles. They constructed a porch deck so that Mrs. S could roll out the front door onto the ramp. Framework for the 50-foot ramp was built on the solid upright posts that Mr. S had installed 10 years ago. One team focused on cutting planks for the deck of the ramp while others screwed them down. Other volunteers puzzled through the pieces needed to make the turns so the boards on the deck of the ramp fit together as smoothly as possible. Plank by plank, screw by screw, the ramp was completed and as the sun began to set the volunteers took a brief moment to celebrate their amazing accomplishment. Mrs. S. would be able to use the ramp that night in case of an emergency. Mr. S walked up onto the ramp and gratefully said “I could never have done this myself. Thank you!”
