Barrington Regional Effort Plans Trip to Houston November 10-19

Volunteers are requested to help those in need to repair and rebuild hurricane-devastated homes in the Houston area on a trip to Harris County, Texas from November 10 – 19th. The need is great. Over 185,000 homes were estimated to be damaged or destroyed, according to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, putting tens of thousands of residents out of their homes.

The Barrington Regional Hurricane Relief team has connected with Annise Parker of BakerRipley, a local partner on the ground in the Houston area (www.bakerripley.org), to identify the areas where the team can make the largest impact. The projects will be located in economically challenged areas where homeowners cannot afford to make the necessary repairs.

Volunteers and charitable donations can be made online through The Build Team at www.BRHRelief.org, or checks can be mailed or hand-delivered to the following address:
The Build Team/Hurricane Relief
495 W. Northwest Highway
Barrington, Illinois, 60010

“An effort like this takes a village of different types of volunteers, not just those who can help with construction,” said John Dawson, owner of Dawson Builders and President of The Build Team (NFP). “We need help with organization and logistics both before and during the effort, as well as cooks, runners and drivers when we are on site.”

The Build Team, a Barrington-based not-for-profit company which helps local homeowners with essential repairs, is just one of the many organizations and businesses in the Barrington area that have come forward to support the effort, both financially and with volunteers. (A complete list is included at the end of this release.)

In addition to volunteers, the Barrington Regional Hurricane Relief effort is also accepting donations. The Foglia Family Foundation has offered to match the first $25,000 donated. All of the donations—100%—will go directly toward rebuilding efforts, with all administrative and logistical costs covered through donations, and with volunteers paying their own way. Only food on site will be covered through the fund.

The Build Team, a 501(c)(3) organization, has agreed to receive, distribute and account for all charitable contributions to fund exclusively the costs of materials, equipment and other expenses necessary to fulfill the Barrington community’s mission to provide meaningful, hands-on support to hurricane victims.

An additional trip is being considered for spring of 2018, likely to coincide with District 220’s Spring Break. Details to follow.

“I am always amazed at the generosity of people in the Barrington area in supporting efforts like these,” said Bob Lee. “This effort is truly a coming together of concerned citizens from the entire Barrington region.”

The Build Team has been helping local homeowners in need with essential repairs to allow them to remain in their homes. John Dawson has experience helping recovery in many areas devastated by hurricanes and flooding, including repair trips to New Orleans, Joplin, Missouri, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With the news of damage from hurricane Harvey, John was already planning a trip to the Houston area. It made sense for John to share his knowledge and help coordinate this community effort.

The following organizations have joined the effort to date:

• Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
• Barrington Relay for Life
• Barrington 220 Schools
• Barrington 220 Educational Foundation
• Barrington Breakfast Rotary
• Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce
• Barrington Area Community Foundation
• Barrington Area Council of Governments
• Barrington Area Council On Aging
• Barrington Area Development Council
• Barrington Area Library
• Barrington Area Ministerial Association
• Barrington Area United Way/Youth Board
• Barrington Children’s Charities
•  Barrington High School
• Barrington Lions Club
• Barrington Masonic Lodge
• Barrington Noon Rotary
• Barrington Park District
• Barrington United Way
• Barrington’s White House
• Fox Point Homeowners Association
• Interact Club Barrington High School
• Journeycare
• Living60010
• Local Barrington Realtors
• Quintessential Barrington Magazine
• Roslyn Road “Earlyact”
• Samaritan Counseling Center
• The Build Team
• Village of Barrington
• Village of Barrington Hills
• Village of Tower Lakes

VOLUNTEER AND DONOR Q & A

If you have any questions about this planned regional effort to help hurricane victims, please contact Dawson Builders at 847-846-4463 or via email at Alana@dawsonbuilders.com. You can also contact Tom Malia at thosmalia3@msn.com or Bob Lee at photobylee@mac.com.