Human tools help build up Golden

Hundreds of Goldenites became tools for the community during the Neighborhood Rehab Project’s Day of Service.

“Giving is a great reward in itself,” said Be a Tool founder Dan Thoemke. “People need a chance to serve and give back to their community together.”

Marking its fifth anniversary, the Day of Service took place on Sept. 12 this year, and people celebrated the idea of empowerment, Thoemke said.

“It’s neighbors helping neighbors,” he said, meaning people learn skills, then take those skills to help one another. “People walk away with a good feeling, knowing they made a difference.”

The event is truly community-oriented, Thoemke said, as 13 businesses and organizations sponsored the event. And, he said, about $ 13,000 of donated supplies were used.

The Loewen Family, of Arvada, which consists of seven people, has been doing the Day of Service for the past four years.

And it wasn’t just the Loewen Family who made it a family activity, Thoemke said. One hundred and twenty of this year’s volunteers were under the age of 18.

One of the most rewarding things about volunteering is seeing the big picture, Donevon Loewen said.

It begins with meeting people who have a need, he said, and the best part about it is seeing those people volunteer the next year –; in whatever capacity they can. For example, Loewen said, some people may be unable to do physical labor, but they can serve water to the workers.

“It brings the community together,” Loewen said. And “builds trust among neighbors.”

The projects focused on three basic needs –; warmth, safety and dry living conditions. Community members pitched in, repairing fences and decks, painting and weeding, replacing roofs, furnaces and water heaters.

Eight Golden neighborhoods, three mobile home parks and five neighborhoods of single family homes received service.

And the work volunteers do is sustainable. In the past five years, Thoemke said, there have been very few repeat projects.

The Day of Service is a “very good thing,” said Ken Erwin, a 4-time volunteer with the Day of Service and a long-time Golden property manager.

“It fills a gap for people,” he said. “It boosts spirits and gives them hope.”

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