Highlights from Hammers & Ales 2024

Jamie ToolBank • June 26, 2024

Our 9th Annual Hammers & Ales knocked it out of the park!

We just had to brag a little – Hammers & Ales 2024 was a total smash! Over 240 of you awesome volunteers swung hammers (safely, of course!) and built a whopping 19 picnic tables and 19 park benches. Talk about teamwork!

All those amazing builds at Dorey Park are now on their way to new homes at Capital Region Land Conservancy, Dorey Park Farmers Market, and Good Neighbor Village. Big thanks to everyone who swung a hammer, donated, sponsored, volunteered, or just hung out and made the day awesome.

And guess what? Thanks to your incredible support, we raised over $20,000! That's a serious chunk of change to keep our Tools for Change mission rolling. Our Tools for Change program is the heart of our mission which enables our member agencies to open our warehouse doors to a treasure trove of 10,000 tools (that's nearly 300 different types!) and borrow what they need to get the job done, without the hassle of buying them.

Here's the coolest part: borrow for weeks a time! For everyday projects, it's just 3% of the tool's value per week. So, they can wield a mighty power washer ($150 value) for just $4.50 a week, or swing a trusty hammer ($10 value) for a mere 30 cents! It's affordable, accessible, and lets our community organizations equip dedicated volunteers with quality tools without breaking the bank.

You guys rock! Thanks for being a part of this incredible event. Signing off to cool off on the James River on my paddle board with a cold beverage in my hand.

Cheers,

Jamie

By Jamie ToolBank April 3, 2025
Wow, Q1 already in the rearview mirror? Time really does fly when you're making a difference! We here at the ToolBank are absolutely buzzing with excitement to share the incredible impact we've made together in the first three months of 2025. Get ready to high-five yourself, because you played a HUGE part in all of this! Tools for Change 🛠️ Our flagship Tools for Change program continues to be the heart and soul of what we do, providing vital resources to the amazing organizations working tirelessly in our community. And let us tell you, your support has been nothing short of phenomenal! We were so touched by the heartfelt words from Start 1 Spark , " Grateful to have the ToolBank as a resource!" 🙌 That simple sentence speaks volumes about the impact we're creating together. This past quarter, thanks to you, we equipped a staggering 96 community projects with over $102,000 worth of tools ! Can you believe it? That's a whole lot of hammers, drills, and saws getting into the hands of those who need them most. This incredible achievement was powered by the dedication of 2,399 amazing volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and put these tools to work. We also had the privilege of hearing firsthand from organizations like Tech for Troops about the significant savings they achieved on essential equipment. They shared that by borrowing from the ToolBank, they saved a bundle on chairs, tables, and safety cones, allowing them to host 300 guests for a crucial event while staying within budget. Stories like these truly highlight the real and tangible change our tools facilitate. Here's a snapshot of the impact: 96 total projects empowered 2,399 dedicated volunteers equipped 2,824 essential tools borrowed A whopping $102,396.72 value of tools in action! And our members only spent a collective $6,536.26 to access these vital resources. We're so proud to support incredible organizations like Henrico County HEART , Sacred Heart Center , Tech for Troops , Woodland Restoration Foundation , Start 1 Spark , and Rise Against Hunger . Each of these groups is making a real difference in Central Virginia, and we're honored to play a part in their success. In our next post, we’ll cover our two other programs - Building Change & ToolBOX. Stay tuned…  Until then, we’re hoping you’re finding ways to enjoy the spring sunshine!
By Jamie ToolBank February 13, 2025
Check out the newest addition to the Buttermilk Trail - courtesy of Friends of the James River.
By Jamie ToolBank January 24, 2025
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By Jamie ToolBank January 20, 2025
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By Jamie ToolBank November 5, 2024
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By Jamie ToolBank October 29, 2024
Learn how our Tools for Change program has impacted two local nonprofits supporting Richmond communities.
By Jamie ToolBank October 21, 2024
Hi, hellooooo! Another quarter has flown by, and we're excited to share the incredible accomplishments we've achieved TOGETHER! Our warehouse has been buzzing with activity, providing tools, equipment, and expertise to our extensive network of Tools for Change member agencies. We've completed 418 projects with the help of 6,464 dedicated volunteers. Over 6,400 tools have been checked out, and our members have spent $11,872.38 to borrow tools valued at $321,442.98. Thanks to the amazing work of the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River, trash and invasive species were removed from popular trails, Hanover County Parks and Recreation built picnic tables, removed invasive species and beautified landscapes across Hanover County during a Day of Service! And finally, our event equipment was put to good use by Diversity Thrift during their Big Gay Market hosted the 2nd Sunday of every month - and what makes these events special is that they raise funds supporting LGBTQ families & artists. We've also been busy giving back to our community through our Building Change sessions. Thanks to the efforts of 323 volunteers, we've donated 67 picnic tables, 36 park benches, 15 compost bins, 5 Adirondack chairs, and more to local community partners like New Kent Parks & Recreation , Louisa County Public Schools , and Chesterfield Foodbank . And finally, our ToolBOX workshops have continued to be a valuable resource for our community. We've provided 8 hours of hands-on training to 22 participants, covering topics like advanced saws, drywall, and power tool basics. Together, we've made a significant impact on our community. Let's continue this momentum and keep empowering our neighbors to create positive change. Yours in gratitude, Jamie 
By Jamie ToolBank October 16, 2024
TOGETHER, we raised $1,090!
By Jamie ToolBank August 15, 2024
Drink beer & do some good! See you at Starr Hill Beerhall & Roof Top in September.
By Jamie ToolBank August 5, 2024
Summer is winding down, and it's the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and dive into some home improvement projects. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, ToolBOX has something for everyone. We're thrilled to announce our upcoming workshops, designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to transform your house into a home. Power Up Your Skills Power Tools 101 (August 22 & 28): Master the basics of power tools with our hands-on workshop. Learn how to safely and effectively use drills, saws, and sanders. Power Tools 201: Advanced Saws & Cornhole Board Build (September 12 & 15): Take your power tool skills to the next level and build your own custom cornhole board. Plus, feel good knowing that the cornhole boards built on September 15th will be donated to a local non-profit. Paint Like a Pro (October 3 & 10): Transform your space with expert painting techniques. From color selection to flawless finishes, we'll teach you everything you need to know. What's Next? Stay tuned for even more exciting workshops coming soon! We're always listening to your feedback, so if there's a specific skill or project you'd like to learn about, let us know in the comments below. Ready to get started? Here’s our full workshop schedule and registration links. We can't wait to see you there! https://www.richmondtoolbank.org/toolbox-program 
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