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The San Francisco Area Alumni Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS-SF) completed a day of hands-on reconstruction work under the auspices of Rebuilding Together Oakland (RTO) on Saturday, April 29th. Volunteers from BGS-SF gathered with other volunteers from the community, including volunteers from Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., to replace a porch, repair gutters and siding, and seal with a fresh coat of paint for a deserving Oakland resident.
Arriving at 8am on Saturday for quick cup of coffee and Danish, volunteers signed release forms, met the House Captain and Team Leader for the project, dressed in an RTO tee-shirt, and were assigned duties. Safety posters and orientation set the tone for a productive, fun and safe day. Many of the volunteers formed their own work teams, as they already knew each other from their company or member organization.
On this particular Oakland site, much preparation work had already begun. Earlier in the week, volunteer carpenters had already removed a rotted out porch and had replaced it with new pressure-treated boards. Other volunteers had removed wood siding that needed replacement, as well removing other hazards.
By Saturday, the national day of Rebuilding Together, scaffolding had been constructed around the entire house, and materials for remaining repairs were waiting to be cut and installed. The day went quickly. In between trips for more supplies, water breaks and a break for lunch, volunteers met the owner of the house. The owner was delighted and thankful for so many eager volunteers. She was forever trying to make people feel welcome, and share what she could.
Like all makeovers, the before and after pictures are impressive. The day ended with a feeling of satisfaction, and the need to repair home to the washroom to remove paint and dust from body and clothes. This project, among the many others taking place in Oakland and around the country, demonstrated what organized efforts from the community can do. The success of these efforts depend on the contributions many different members of the community.
About RTO
Rebuilding Together Oakland (RTO), an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, rehabilitates the homes of low-income elderly and disabled homeowners, so they may continue to live in safety, comfort and independence. RTO utilizes the hard work of skilled and unskilled volunteers, and leverages financial and in-kind donations to make these improvements at no cost to the homeowners. Each year, thousands of volunteers come together on the last weekend of April to help restore the homes of their low-income neighbors. The Rebuilding Together national program was launched in Washington D.C. in 1988 as Christmas in April USA, and later changed its named to Rebuilding Together to reflect an extension of programs beyond just the April workday.
About BGS-SF
BGS-SF is community comprised of diverse professionals who have achieved lifetime membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma National Business School Honor Society through exemplary achievements in business academics. The Alumni Chapter engages in activities that aim to integrate members with the business and business education communities of the San Francisco and Silicon Valley areas.
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info[.]bgssf.org 
