Allstate associates perform Community Workday
at the ToolBank

The ToolBank hosted the Allstate Insurance Community Workday on Wed June 25, in which an energetic team of associates came together to deliver no-cost HouseProud repairs for a senior homeowner in Summerhill.  Allstate associates scraped, primed, and caulked Ms. Buggs' home, just in time for her 89th birthday.  After lunch, the same team return to the ToolBank facility and performed maintenance tasks in the warehouse and removed a mountain of litter on a neighboring property.   Thank you, Allstate Insurance!  FULL PHOTO ALBUM   

ToolBank website gets turbo boost

The ToolBank website has a new home in cyberspace, resulting in dramatically reduced pageloading times.  Even the once-pokey Online Tool Order Form is now lightning-fast!  The ToolBank makes every effort to make full benefit of web technology, and we are confident you'll love the zippy responsiveness of the site from now on!

HouseProud now serving NPU-T

After nearly two decades of strengthening its unique model in Neighborhood Planning Unit V, (NPU-V) the HouseProud program at the ToolBank recently expanded to include NPU-T.  [what is an NPU?]  The new service area includes several historic neighborhoods rich in history, including West End, Westview, Harris Chiles, Ashview Heights, and the Atlanta University Center.  NPU-T is served by Area Manager Jonathan Kidwell, the ToolBank's newest employee. Jon will be a consistent presence in NPU-T and at community meetings.  Our thanks to NPU-T for their warm reception to HouseProud!  Click here to learn more about NPU-T, and click here to learn more about HouseProud.

HouseProud is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Atlanta through a Community Development Block Grant.

2008 Atlanta House Party
Delivers big for senior homeowners

The 2008 Atlanta House Party, presented by The Allstate Foundation, was a quantum leap in the mission of the HouseProud program, which delivers no-cost home repairs to senior homeowners in five neighborhoods near Turner Field.  It was also a great way to spend a beautiful spring day for a hoarde of corporate volunteers!  Click here for event pictures. 

Fee-free tools for tornado cleanup continues through April

In support of the efforts to restore communities after Atlanta's severe weather in March, the ToolBank waived all tool handing fees for projects related to tornado cleanup and and repair.  The offer has been extended through the month of April, as charitable organizations assess the damage and implement rebuilding strategies.  Please contact Program Manager Wade Medlock at (404) 880-0054 x11 for more information. 

THANK YOU, ATLANTA!
'08 Tool Drive a huge success

More than 100 ToolBank volunteers fanned out over the last weekend in March to collect tools for the ToolBank.  The ToolBank tool inventory grew by two dozen hammers, 43 wrenches, a whole mess of screwdrivers, 3 reciprocating saws, more than 200' of extension cord, 2 chain saws, a dozen pry bars, and hundreds upon hundreds of other tools donated by Atlantans everywhere.  A handful of donors had no tools, but were so moved by our volunteers that they went into the ACE Hardware store and bought tools to donate!  Our unforgettable team of volunteers made this success possible - thank you!  [MORE INFO]

Stanley Tools sponsors 12 months at the ToolBank

The Stanley Works, a global provider of tools, has committed a $60,000 grant to the Atlanta Community ToolBank, effectively subsidizing a portion of the cost of borrowing tools for 12 months, starting on March 1.  Stanley Tools' generous sponsorship reduces tool handling fees by 18% for all organizations borrowing tools from the Tool

Eight new tool types added to ToolBank inventory

Expansion made possible by the Home Depot Foundation

The ToolBank has added eight new tools to its inventory of tools for borrowing by nonprofits.  Several of the new tools are power tools that have been requested for years, and will allow nonprofits to take on larger and more ambitious projects than ever before. Click here to see the newly added tool types.

New online Volunteer Calendar:
Quick browsing, fast sign-up

Interested in volunteering at the ToolBank?  Click on the calendar to the right to view the new online Volunteer Calendar, where you can quickly browse upcoming events.  You can even sign up to volunteer in an instant with the Super Quick Volunteer Sign In (patent pending).  After you sign up, you'll receive a call from ToolBank staff for confirmation.  See you at the ToolBank!

The Home Depot and Amanda Richmond
awarded 2007 Cornerstone Award

Each year the ToolBank awards one company and one individual with The Cornerstone Award, as recognition for their longstanding commitment to the ToolBank mission.  This year, the corporate Cornerstone Award went to The Home Depot for nearly ten years of generous support to the ToolBank.  The individual Cornerstone Award went to Amanda Richmond, former ToolBank Director and longtime volunteer.  Pictured is Katy Elder of Home Depot (right) receiving the 2007 Cornerstone Award from Executive Director Mark Brodbeck and President Betsy Holland. Click here for the full press release. [PDF]

ToolBank provides FREE Tools
to nonprofits for the
entire month of November!

The ToolBank repeating last year's Free For All in November, waiving all handling fees on borrowed tools.  The standard handling fee on tools is 6% of the retail value of tools borrowed.  This November the handling fee is zip. Zero. Nothing.  Click here to learn more on how your organization can take advantage of the Free For All at the ToolBank.   

IFMA chooses the ToolBank
as Community Agency Partner

The Atlanta chapter of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) has chosen the Atlanta Community ToolBank as its newest Community Agency Partner. IFMA’s support for its Community Agency Partners includes consultation, mentoring, product donations, and facility services. IFMA's support for the ToolBank is sure to result in a greater capacity to serve the nonprofit sector - stay tuned for more details on this exciting new partnership.