Serving Local Neighbors During Super Bowl Weekend

The work of Rebuilding Together to provide essential repairs for neighbors in need is close to my heart. Last week I teamed up with Rebuilding Together to make essential home repairs for neighbors in the Ocotillo Rose Neighborhood in Glendale. 

The neighbors and families I met reminded me so much of my own family and hometown. I grew up in New Orleans in a tight-knit community where neighbors looked out for one another and had strong connections to the neighborhood. My family was there when Hurricane Katrina hit our community. I saw first-hand how impactful essential home repairs are to neighbors who need them and how important it is to be able to remain in the homes and communities you love. 

While in Glendale, I also had the opportunity to visit the local Boys & Girls Club, where volunteers made various repairs, upgrades and landscaped. As a Boys & Girls Club alumni, it was surreal seeing myself in their Alumni Hall of Fame, knowing how much of an impact they had in my upbringing. Now that I have a platform, it is important to me to use it to give back to local communities.

Together with 200 Lowe’s store associates, corporate and community volunteers, Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun provided essential home repairs and upgrades to six homes in the Ocotillo Rose Neighborhood, the Swift Kids Branch of the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley and the Heart for the City Community Garden. The initiative was part of Rebuilding Together’s 28th annual Kickoff to Rebuild and included repairing roofs, installing grab bars, replacing windows, repairing flooring and more. Hosted annually to rebuild homes and revitalize communities in Super Bowl cities across the country, Kickoff to Rebuild has impacted over 170 homes, engaged more than 5,000 volunteers and invested more than $5 million in communities in need.

Kickoff to Rebuild only happens once a year, but Rebuilding Together and its affiliates across the country work year-round to serve neighbors in need. I am proud to be a [Re]Builder and help ensure everyone has access to safe and healthy homes and communities.