Those who are part of the rental community in the American Rental Association’s (ARA) Region Nine gave back in a significant way May 11-12 for the latest Community Impact Program project, which is a joint effort of the ARA Foundation and the Toro Company Foundation.
This project benefited My Friend’s House, a shelter in Vacaville, Calif., for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who have aged out of the foster care system and need transitional housing until they can find a permanent home.
The project involved:
- Renovating the garage — including removing the garage door, framing a new wall and adding a door and window, insulating the walls and ceiling, hanging sheetrock and more — into office space for caseworkers so it frees up a bedroom in the house, allowing the shelter to take in more residents.
- Beautification of the grounds, including removing and replacing rock, laying landscape fabric and adding flower arrangements.
- Replacing the concrete driveway to make it more Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-friendly.
Special thanks go to the following ARA-member companies that donated equipment and/or volunteered their time for the project:
“Everything came together for this project — great weather, the right equipment and dedicated volunteers who had a true passion to make a difference. Thanks to everyone’s help, we were able to make a significant impact in the two days we were there,” says Marcy Wright, executive director of the ARA Foundation.
“That is the beauty of the Community Impact Program. It offers a true partnership between the ARA Foundation, the Toro Company Foundation and those in the equipment rental community, including our state association chapters. Together we can benefit vital community program such as My Friend’s House,” Wright says.
The Community Impact Program, which kicked off with its inaugural event in Ohio during June 2021, involves both foundations partnering with local nonprofit organizations to coordinate community service projects across the country. The purpose of the program is twofold: to allow those in the rental industry an opportunity to give back to their community as well as build public awareness and demonstrate the advantages of rental.
More projects are planned for this year, with the next one scheduled July 20 in Pittsburgh. All projects involve the collaboration of the two foundations, the ARA members, ARA state chapters, and Toro and Ditch Witch representatives in each of the select locations who will source donations and volunteers to work on the projects.
Connie Lannan
Connie Lannan is special projects editor for Rental Management. She helps plan, coordinate, write and edit ARA’s quarterly regional newsletters, In Your Region. She also researches, writes and edits news and feature articles for Rental Management, Rental Pulse, supplements, special reports and other special projects. Outside of work, she loves to bake for others, go for walks with her husband and volunteer for her church and causes she believes in.
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