A partnership between the American Rental Association (ARA) Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation is bringing together rental businesses across the country to make improvements in their communities. The Community Impact Project initiative recently selected a project assisting My Friend’s House Shelter in Vacaville, Calif.
My Friend’s House Shelter exists to meet the needs of homeless and at-risk young adults, ages 18-24. The program provides a low-barrier shelter and provides case management, connections to mentors, and access to essential goods and services like food, clothing, and toiletries. The shelter aims to connect with and begin serving the residents before they become victims of drugs, street gangs, incarceration, or homelessness.
The Community Impact Project initiative involves both the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation with the dual purpose of community service and improvement as well as raising public awareness and demonstrating the advantages of equipment and event rental.
More than 15 volunteers from area rental businesses and residents volunteered time and equipment to complete the two-day project on May 11 & 12. Work included converting the existing garage to an office space to accommodate more residents, yard beautification, and concrete repairs to make the property ADA compliant. Companies supporting the project include:
- Aaction Rents
- A Tool Shed
- Interstate 80 Forklift
- Expo Party Rentals
- Celebrations! Party Rentals and Tents
- NACH Marketing
This is the third project completed in 2022 and the sixth in a series of 10 Community Impact Projects overall. Previous projects were organized in Cleveland, Ohio, Denver, Colo., St. Paul, Minn., San Antonio, Texas, and Safety Harbor, Fla. Future projects are slated for the remainder of 2022 including locations in Pennsylvania and New York.
Each project is made possible through a $20,000 donation from the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation. This contribution provides the nonprofit organization the funds to purchase materials required to complete the project with any remaining funds going toward long-term project maintenance.
