Rebuilding Together issues community service award to NewsChannel5, launches fundraising drive

AKRON, Ohio - Rebuilding Together is a national organization dedicated to helping residents improve their homes and their neighborhoods.

It's a mission that has the non-profit agency taking the time to honor NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhoods for its effort toward a similar goal.

This year, Rebuilding Together partnered with Building Better Neighborhoods to help clean-up three Cleveland communities.

"We really appreciate all that NewsChannel5 has done to promote better neighborhoods and volunteerism," said Rebuilding Together Director, Paul Holm. "We are pleased to recognize NewsChannel5 with this community service award."

Rebuilding Together and NewsChannel5 are already in the planning stages for a series of northeast Ohio neighborhood improvement projects in 2013. Rebuilding Together is also launching its 2013 fundraising effort, Raising the Roof.

Residents can make a donation through the Rebuilding Together website. Contributions made on-line can be designated to specific service areas, so the dollars can go directly to your community.

Rebuilding Together coordinates a year-round volunteer program that helps repair and rehabilitate the homes of low-income, elderly, disabled and veteran homeowners, so they may live with independence and dignity. .

The organization has serviced 2,500 homes in Summit, Cuyahoga, and Portage counties since 1996.

Meanwhile, NewsChannel5 will host a Building Better Neighborhoods live town hall meeting, Thurs., Nov. 29, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. The live TV primetime special on WEWS will also include a live streaming interactive broadcast here on newsnet5.com and on your mobile device.

The program will include two live town hall locations, where residents are invited take part in the discussion about issues that are hurting their neighborhoods.

Residents are invited to Lincoln West High School, 3202 West 30 Street in Cleveland, or the Eastman Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 11602 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland.

NewsChannel5 is also trying to spark neighborhood involvement by residents, who volunteer to make a difference when it comes to vacant and condemned properties.

We're inviting residents to report nuisance properties through our Building Better Neighborhood initiative.

Just send us pictures and information on vacant homes in your neighborhood and we'll forward the information to your city building department, in an effort to move the properties to progress.

We are also giving residents information on how they can volunteer in their neighborhoods to make them better. Those interested in starting a volunteer effort in their neighborhood should contact Hands on Northeast Ohio for more information.