Donahue Fitzgerald Volunteers for 2016 National Rebuilding Day

Donahue Fitzgerald’s Managing Partner Michael Dalton states, “We are excited to participate in National Rebuilding Day as a Rebuilding Together Oakland partner. Together with all the partners nationwide, we look forward to helping our neighbors by participating in the repair and rehabilitation of homes in our community.”

Partner Steve Lee is spearheading the firm’s participation in National Rebuilding Day. He is a former RTO president and served a member of its board of directors for several years. He and several other attorneys and professional staff have been a part of the nationwide volunteer event in the past. When Steve proposed the firm participate again this year, over a dozen of the firm’s staff and lawyers signed up immediately and shared their experiences with one another. For some it is the simple joy of working with their hands, and others volunteer with their children and enjoy the day together as a family.  One thing they share in common is the reward of seeing the impact of their work in someone’s life right away; the smiles and gratitude of the homeowners is truly heartwarming.

“Our firm is proud to partner with Rebuilding Together,” said Lee.  “We are honored to help fulfill Rebuilding Together’s mission to rejuvenate neighborhoods through the rehabilitation of homes owned by low-income, elderly or disabled homeowners, so they can continue to live safely in their homes.”

Another reward mentioned by many in the firm is the team-building experience, working side-by-side with co-workers and getting to know one another outside the office setting.

In addition to donating a Saturday and labor, Donahue Fitzgerald made a monetary donation to support the work of Rebuilding Together Oakland. The firm’s 20+ volunteers will be joined by volunteers from Scott Valley Bank.

About the Homeowner

The volunteers will work on the home of a 95-year old resident who has lived in Oakland for over 60 years.  She raised all her children and grandchildren in her home. None of her children are living. She lives in her home with her grandson, who is a disabled veteran. She worked for an industrial linen company for 40 years and volunteered at the food bank every Wednesday. Other than raising her family, the most satisfying aspect of her life has been purchasing and owning her own home. The firm’s volunteers feel excited and proud to help rehabilitate her home.

About Rebuilding Together Oakland

Every year in April, Rebuilding Together Oakland (RTO) brings together more than 2,000 volunteers to homes and community facilities across the City of Oakland. Through partnerships with community businesses such as as ours, RTO helps to preserve the homes of our most vulnerable neighbors. The work of RTO volunteers ensures the safety, comfort and independence of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled.

The work ranges from yard work, such as cutting down overgrown plants to planting new ones, and painting exterior and interior areas to repairing or replacing drywall and flooring, fixing leaky roofs, and replacing water heaters and other appliances.

RTO is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, Inc, the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities, and is part of a network of more than 200 affiliates providing critical home repairs to low-income homeowners at no cost to them. Rebuilding Together was formerly known as Christmas in April.

Community Service

Deeply rooted in Oakland for over 130 years, Donahue Fitzgerald is proud to have been integral in the growth and development of the City’s businesses, community, and identity. Community involvement and pro bono service is a hallmark of the firm. Volunteering time for the benefit of the Oakland community and its residents as well as the benefit of the legal profession is a tradition that is ingrained in the culture of the firm.  The firm provides monetary donations to numerous charitable entities, and our attorneys are active in and serve on the board of directors of numerous cultural, educational, and non-profit organizations. Visit our Community page to learn about the various charities we support.