Member Spotlight | Friends of the James River

Jamie ToolBank • February 13, 2025

Check out the newest addition to the Buttermilk Trail - courtesy of Friends of the James River.

Hellooooo!


One of my favorite parts of my job is seeing our tools in action and reading testimonials from our member agencies. Our crew are huge fans of the James River, and you can often find us exploring its expansive trail system when we're not at the warehouse. So, we're especially thrilled to celebrate one of the many dedicated member agencies doing such good work throughout Richmond: the Friends of the James River! Friends of the James River kept busy in November & December, capping off a strong Q4 with some serious progress along the Buttermilk Trail.


Their dedicated volunteer trail crew tackled a truly impressive challenge, moving hundreds of 20-30 pound stones to reinforce the trail buckets that support the new section. Imagine the workout! We're so proud to support their efforts with our trusty tools and buckets. #TeamworkMakestheDreamWork

 

This recent accomplishment perfectly exemplifies the dedication and impact of the Friends of the James River. Since 2017, they've been a force for positive change in our community. Let's take a look at their remarkable achievements:


  • 28 community projects brought to life!
  • 839 volunteers making a difference!
  • 527 tools put to good use!
  • $11,099.79 worth of tools put to work for a healthier James River!


And the best part? A small investment yields a huge return. With just $637.36, we've seen a tremendous positive impact on the James River and the Richmond community. The Friends of the James River are a true testament to the power of community action, and we're so grateful to have them as a partner.


Want to support more projects like this? You can empower organizations like Friends of the James River by supporting our Tools for Change program! Every dollar you contribute goes 16 times further, enabling our members to borrow tools for just 6% of the retail value.


Make a one-time donation today, or become a monthly donor and help us equip even more community heroes. Your support makes a real difference!


https://giving.classy.org/campaign/646752/donate

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!
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