Coming Together for Community: WMFHA''s Impact Day with Rebuilding Together Seattle

On a bright July week, over 100 passionate members of the Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFHA) came together to make a meaningful impact in the Shoreline community, one paint stroke, tree trim, and roof panel at a time.

Partnering with the incredible nonprofit Rebuilding Together Seattle, WMFHA’s annual Impact Day brought life-changing improvements to the homes of two residents, Ms. Sandra and Ms. Cheri. These widows have lived in their homes for years, and thanks to our volunteers and partners, they can now continue doing so with greater safety, comfort, and pride.

Who We Partnered With

Since 2014, WMFHA has partnered with Rebuilding Together Seattle, a nonprofit that repairs homes, revitalizes communities, and rebuilds lives. Their mission aligns perfectly with WMFHA’s core values: building stronger communities and lifting each other up. Their team helped identify homeowners in need and provided coordination and support to ensure every project ran smoothly.

A Week of Hard Work and Heart

Early Prep Work: Laying the Groundwork

Before the main event on Friday, two dedicated crews stepped up to prepare both homes:

• On Wednesday, a team from Tarragon helped prep Ms. Sandra’s home for exterior painting, ensuring surfaces were ready for a fresh new look.
• That same day, SavATree professionals tackled tall trees at Ms. Cheri’s property, ensuring safety and clearing the way for landscaping improvements.

Friday: A Full Day of Transformation

With the prep complete, Friday brought nearly 100 WMFHA volunteers to the Shoreline area, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

At Ms. Sandra’s Home

The team transformed Ms. Sandra’s property inside and out:

• Installed a new corrugated metal roof on the patio
• Removed overgrown vines from her fence
• Cleaned and trimmed flower beds and bushes
• Installed river rock and beauty bark
• Gave the entire home a fresh coat of paint
• Pressure washed the driveway

At Ms. Cheri’s Home

Volunteers focused on both interior and exterior upgrades:

• Installed a new hood vent and ceiling fan/light in the kitchen
• Painted the kitchen cabinets and walls; added new hardware
• Removed outdated baseboard heaters
• Trimmed trees and cleared backyard landscaping
• Laid new wood chips using the tree clippings
• Painted the shed door
• Built a new step to the backyard
• Replaced missing downspouts
• Tore down and rebuilt the backyard fence

This Wouldn’t Have Happened Without Our Leaders

While Impact Day showcases two incredible days of boots-on-the-ground work, none of it would be possible without the tireless weeks of preparation behind the scenes. A massive thank you goes out to our two lead project managers, James Ohrn (Avenue5 Residential) and Terry Spivey (Thrive Communities). Both men have participated in this event for many years, and James has been a project manager for five years, while Terry has been a project manager for four 

years. 

Their organization, coordination, and commitment turned a big vision into reality. From planning logistics and working with donors to ensuring every detail was accounted for, these two made sure that everything ran smoothly from start to finish. This project simply could not have happened without them.

It Takes a Village: Thank You to Our Donors & Sponsors

This work was made possible by generous contributions from our partners:

Product Donations

• Sherwin-Williams – All paint & painting supplies
• HD Supply – Lumber and supplies for the fence
• Malone’s Landscape – River rock and beauty bark
• Ferguson Facilities Supply – Ceiling fan, hood vent, and cabinet hardware

Donated Services

• Mono Rooftop – Roof cleaning
• SavATree – all tree removal and trimming

Cash Donations

• Belfor Restoration
• The Plumbing & Drain Company

Lunch Provided By:

• Ferguson Facilities Supply
• ServiceMaster of Tacoma

A Day of Service, A Lasting Impact

WMFHA's Impact Day is more than just community service; it's about building long-term relationships, supporting neighbors, and showing that housing professionals are deeply invested in the people and neighborhoods they serve.

To everyone who picked up a brush, swung a hammer, or supported behind the scenes, thank you. Your efforts helped ensure that Ms. Sandra and Ms. Cheri can continue to live safely and with dignity in their homes.

We’re proud of the work accomplished and even prouder of our members who showed what it truly means to give back. Let’s keep the momentum going; one home, one neighbor, and one act of kindness at a time.

List of the volunteer's companies: