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Not only is Pete Kmet a concerned citizen of the City of Tumwater, he’s also the mayor. “You can have fun together and help people out,” says Kmet. He is speaking from personal experience as a volunteer with Rebuilding Together Thurston County (RTTC). “I think it’s a great organization,” he adds. RTTC organizes teams and individuals for projects that help people in our area to stay safely in their own homes. There are many seniors, low-income families and veterans who are living in homes where maintenance, both inside and out, has led to unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

Rebuilding Together Thurston County Pete Kmet
Pete Kmet has served the City of Tumwater for many years and the past nine as mayor. He’s also a RTTC volunteer. Photo credit: Mary Ellen Psaltis

RTTC’s goal is to keep people in their homes. Kmet was introduced to the work of RTTC during a fundraising and awareness-raising breakfast. His environmental engineering career and background are well aligned with his desire to serve his community in thoughtful ways. For example, the City of Tumwater is a partner with Black Hills and Tumwater High Schools to provide FRESH, Farm-rooted Education for Sustainability and Health. The city also has a dark-sky ordinance to protect night skies and reduce unnecessary light pollution. Though he is especially interested in policy work, he also saw the importance of helping one family at a time. Since then Kmet has made time in his full schedule to participate in several RTTC building events.

While he is an experienced mayor, he is not a skilled carpenter or plumber, but that doesn’t matter because other volunteers bring these talents. There are all sorts of ways to help on a site. Volunteers clean up debris, mow yards, tear down old fences and remove garbage. Together, teams are able to replace toilets, remove damaged floors and repair furnaces. Every volunteer is valued. The most recent project where Kmet helped involved window and fence replacement, general yard cleanup, painting, and replacing doors and carpets. Projects are usually set up over a weekend. Some people work part of one day and others work both days. Any time you have is valued.

RTTC wants you to gather teams to work together. Recently the Hawks Prairie Rotary Club joined other volunteers to help with Project Jennifer, which involved a woman who had exited from an abusive relationship. The dire circumstances had resulted in a house with severe neglect. The ivy and blackberries were overgrown and needed to be removed. A garden shed was removed and a deck built. People dug postholes for a new fence. The large group of participants included students from the Yelm High School football team and a couple of church groups. Randy Luke, community service director for the Lacey Rotary club, had recruited members from his club. Imagine the difference such a large group made on the home. It brought safety and security to a family and home that had not previously existed.

Rebuilding Together Thurston County Pete Kmet on knees
Mayor Pete Kmet didn’t shy away from the grounds cleaning project for RTTC. Photo courtesy: Rebuilding Together Thurston County

“It is a great community building opportunity,” emphasizes Kmet. It really builds community in more than one way. When these projects are completed, the homeowners can be a more positive part of their neighborhood. RTTC has kept properties from becoming a nuisance to the area. It also builds connections among the volunteers. Teaming up outside of your usual work environment can deepen relationships and it feels good to help someone. It’s a nice feeling to know someone who needed handrails on their steps now has them. It’s fun to have helped a family have a fully functional bathroom.

You don’t have to go far to find people in our community who truly need help with their homes. Low-income seniors, veterans and families are not only financially challenged, but often there is no other family to pitch in. Options for general maintenance are scarce and consequently repairs go undone which results in greater damage. This is why RTTC is continuing to expand their projects to be able to serve more people.

Should you become a volunteer? “Definitely!” exclaims Kmet. He believes that RTTC does something that no other organization does. Remember, this volunteer opportunity is one that can fit into your busy schedule. It asks for a limited amount of time and you can bring whatever level of skill you possess. You can have fun with your teammates. You will be assisting people to age and live gracefully in their own homes. Please consider connecting with RTTC. What was Kmet’s reward? “Knowing that I’m helping someone in our community in the small way I can,” he explains. He added with a smile that you might even pick up a skill you could use at your own house.

Rebuilding Together Thurston County Pete Kmet raking long wide shot
Volunteers with all levels of skill help on building projects across the county. Photo courtesy: Rebuilding Together Thurston County

You can pull together a team from your place of work, your church or your friends.

You’ll have a good time together and really make a difference for someone right here in Thurston County.

If you would like to speak with someone for more information, visit the Rebuilding Together Thurston County website or call 360-539-7830.

 

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