At Buffalo ReUse, we've received tremendous help from our AmeriCorps workers over the years. Now, some in Congress want to completely defund our national service program.

Our own Amanda Alessandra, who did her AmeriCorps service in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, received this message and request for help from Change.org:

Help reach 100,000 signatures to save AmeriCorps Dear Amanda, In the dead of night on Saturday, a Tea Party-driven group of House members voted to kill AmeriCorps, completely eliminating all funding. With a potential government shutdown looming on March 4th, the fate of 85,000 AmeriCorp community organizers, teachers, and tutors will now be decided by the U.S. Senate. After hearing the shocking news, former AmeriCorps volunteer Caleb Jonas decided he had to do something. From a coffee shop in Massachusetts, Caleb logged in to Change.org from his laptop and created a petition asking Congress to "Save AmeriCorps." Caleb’s inspiring action has already been signed by more than 90,000 Americans. Thank you for adding your signature to Caleb's "Save AmeriCorps" petition. We're closing in on 100,000 signatures — a huge statement at this pivotal moment — and we need your urgent help to make this critical goal. Please forward this email and ask friends and family to add their names to Caleb’s "Save AmeriCorps" petition and help him reach 100,000 signatures to the Senate ASAP. Why does Caleb care so much about AmeriCorps? Because he spent a year improving the quality of tutoring programs for low-income kids in Minnesota — and witnessed AmeriCorps members build houses for Habitat for Humanity, help political refugees start new lives, improve reading test scores for elementary school students, and help disadvantaged high school students get into college. As Caleb told us over the phone, it breaks his heart that this vital national service program could be shut down at a time when people in the most marginalized communities in America need it the most. That’s why Caleb was inspired to start his "Save AmeriCorps" petition — and why AmeriCorps supporters are sharing it on Facebook and forwarding messages like this to their friends around the country. With AmeriCorps on the chopping block, it’s time for all of us to stand up for Caleb and thousands of other volunteers who have committed years of their lives to community service. Please forward this email to friends and family and ask them to join you in telling the Senate not to kill AmeriCorps:  http://www.change.org/petitions/save-americorps?alert_id=TdPLdiPsal_PKxVyTFVIG&me=aa Thank you for joining Caleb and Change.org members across our country fighting to save AmeriCorps before it’s too late. - Patrick and the Change.org team P.S.  A coalition of grassroots organizations are planning a "Save Service District Day" for this Friday, where supporters of AmeriCorps and National Service will visit local House and Senate offices to ask members of Congress to save funding for crucial service programs. Click here to get involved in actions near you:  http://www.saveservice.org/

Did you know that many of Buffalo Public Schools require students to do community service before graduation?  Unfortunately, there is not a set policy or a set number or hours required across the board, so it’s important for parents, students and teachers to discuss the benefits of community service at home and in the classroom.  You can ask your child’s teacher, “Do you engage my child in any service learning?”  Over the summer we saw a lot of students but it has tapered off a little now that the school year has resumed.

TEENS LISTEN UP! At ReUse, we want students to know that whether or not your parents or your school requires you to volunteer you should find an organization or project that interests you now and begin volunteering.  Yes, you may learn about team work and leadership from participating in sports, but there are lots of other things to learn too (I was horrible at sports).  If you volunteer at ReUse you learn very practical things–like how to use tools and how to organize projects and groups.  You learn creative problem solving and planning.  You see how your attention and involvement make a difference in the neighborhood and the environment.  Some projects are FUN, like harvesting strawberries or painting and some are just part of our chores, like raking, denailing lumber or measuring doors for customers. No matter what we’re doing, we want you to learn that hard work can still be enjoyable.

The other big reason to volunteer is so that you build relationships.  After just a few volunteer sessions you have more people (besides your teachers or parents) who can speak positively about your work ethic, talents, skills, enthusiasm and self discipline.  You may be a horrible math student, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t good at other things.  When you volunteer you interact with other adults and people who can recommend you for employment, scholarships or other opportunities.  Plus, sometimes you might meet experts in fields that interest you, like Architecture, Urban Planning or Photography and they can mentor you.  Besides that, you might actually make new friends too.

Please click on this link or the photo to see other young people volunteering.

PARENTS LISTEN UP! From our perspective, volunteering is a very important value to instill in every child because volunteering teaches awareness, responsibility, leadership and citizenship.  I don’t think they are hokey concepts.  When you stop and think about what kind of human being you want to raise–independent, considerate, generous, reliable etc know that those traits can be developed through volunteerism.  ReUse offers all kinds of meaningful projects to engage you and your child.  Please have a conversation with your child about volunteering.  In the spring and summer months we definitely have a lot more opportunities for children under 14, but we still expect for parents to join their younger kids.

Please click on the link to hear one parent’s perspective on bringing his child to ReUse this summer.

Right now the weather is changing over.  Most of our projects are outdoors and we work even in very cold conditions.  It’s very important for students and parents to make plans to volunteer now while there are still lots of projects to do during the tolerable weather.  Please don’t wait until Christmas Break because we will be minimally staffed as well.

Please contact Danielle about volunteering at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org and visit our volunteer page for more details

If you’ve been following the blog and facebook, you know the reason we’re hosting tonight’s Talent & Treasure Auction is so we can raise at least $6,000 toward our stipend for our two current Americorps Members, Brad and Scott. But what you might not know is how much more that 6K gets us. For almost 2yrs now we’ve been truly blessed to work with Americorps WNY and the 6 members who have served with us, Michele Silberman, Matthew Lapennas, Ben Kaiser, Rachel Mathews, Scott Kozak and Brad Kujawski.
There is no way we could have started all we have been able to accomplish with the Tool Library, all of the community gardens, the free DIY workshops, volunteer coordination, store maintenance, neighborhood improvements, tabling events and our other events and shenanigans without them–we couldn’t have even done as fabulous a job with the Extreme Demo or the Extreme Premiere!
Although we have had hundreds of hours from volunteers, this crew has provided the necessary volunteer training and support and filled in the gaps when we were short on volunteers and staff.  Their service has been crucial to this organization.

In my opinion our Americorps Members have done more to create ReUse’s positive reputation in the community than any other single person in our organization. We cannot maintain our high level of activity or grow without them.
I hope that if you do support the mission of Buffalo ReUse, you will come to tonight’s auction. It is absolutely a worthy cause. If you cannot make it to tonight’s event, but you still want to make a donation toward our Americorps stipend, please click here to go to our secure Paypal page or you can also mail a check.   Please put “Americorps stipend” in the memo section.  I also invite you to click on the photo which will take you to hundreds of other photos that prove just how much our Americorps Members have done for Buffalo, our neighborhood and this organization.
Thank you for your support.

Folks, there is a rare opportunity for you to help us out this Friday–Sept24th! with processing materials on our current green demolition project.  It’s a very large cinder block warehouse and we need help: denailing, loading the truck and paletizing block, brick and other materials–some repetitive heavy lifting.  Amanda is the project manager and she will be directing folks on-site.  Please wear work clothes, layers–kudos for bright safety orange or yellow, and heavy soled boots/shoes for your own safety (steel toe–if you have them).  It’s important that you be at the ReSource, 298 Northampton, at 9:15am to sign-in, grab a hardhat and other safety gear.

We will carpool to the job site at 10am.  There is a port-o-jon on-site.  It’s a good idea to pack a lunch.
Be ready to sweat!

Paint me EXCITED!
I am beaming because Diane sent us images of her submission for our first-ever fashion show of garbage couture! If you know a fashionista, designer or dumpster diver who might be interested in creating some clothing for the show–please forward them the link for the CALL FOR ARTISTS. The deadline to submit your design is October 13th, but don’t wait because there are a lot of other details to take care of!

If you’d like to help with the exhibiton, please email volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org

ReTHREAD
Thursday, October 21st
7–10pm
ArtSpace
1219 Main Street in Midtown Buffalo

Tis the season for re-assessing goals.
Summer is ending.
School has started.
For a large majority of Buffalo that means parents shifting attention to their own kids and their development.  For most college students, this season means buying books, meeting people, making baby steps toward a hopeful future and an awful lot of thinking.  In a nutshell, most of us are turning inward and beginning to hunker down.

For ReUse, this time translates to a dip in volunteerism–we definitely see fewer volunteers from now until the Spring.  However, our workload remains constant–there are still things to build, fix, grow, clean, weed, experiment, move, learn and improve.  There’s still lots to DO. Unfortunately, as the weather gets even colder it means fewer people will be working on outdoor projects which translates to fewer residents donating material.

But we’re still here and we’re still working.  As you write down your checklist of things to finish before the cold weather starts, I hope that your checklists include some of the following:

1. Schedule ReUse to come pick up your curbside treasures before your bulk trash date–call Cerrina at the store–882-2800 and she’ll take care of you. (We can also come get it after the bulk trash date, but it means you should keep it in your garage etc.)
2. Sign up with Danielle to be on our Volunteer Opps mailing list so you can get updates on the hundreds of little ways you (your kids, your neighbors, your students, your co-workers, your frat-bros) and your brother’s wife’s second cousin on her mother’s side–was her name Yvonne or Yvette? can volunteer–email Danielle at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org
3. Call Caesandra and learn how you can intern with ReUse and get some real experience–managing, troubleshooting, organizing, leading and investing in your self and this community.  716-885-4131
4. Talk to Brad and Scott about which DIY projects you hope to tackle before the end of the year so they can plan a gardening or home repair workshop for your needs.
5. Grab some business cards from Kevin at the store so you can give them to your friends.
6. Ask your contractor or handyman what he does with the left over supplies and tools from projects–does he throw it in a dumpster or could he bring it to ReUse and get you a tax break.
7. Visit us before you go to Home Depot or Lowe’s for that new sink, new toilet, new counter tops, flooring, lighting, gutters, stone, block, windows and more.

What are you waiting for?

Ladies & Gentlemen,
Buffalo ReUse invites you to our first-ever live auction!  Join us Saturday, September 25th from 8-10pm as folks bid on treasures from our inventory and talents of our staff and volunteers!

You could win a french toast breakfast in bed, a photographer for you Gramma’s 100th birthday party, a night with Olaf, a potpurri of pickles, a massage, a reprieve from laundry, a cat-sitter, a week of dog walking, a chance to entertain guests with cherries jubilee, wine making lessons, soap making lessons, coffee roasting fresh before your eyes, free car washes from BARB, installation of that rain barrel you bought 2months ago and more!

There’s already over a dozen treasures we’ve set aside.  You could win a kooky attic find like a Wyoming license plate from 1937, antiques, a piece of local history and some architectural gems!  Click on the flyer to see more.  We’ll be sharing details and stories for each piece.
Let’s start with Lot#213…
This case of antique, painted label “Oscar’s Beverages” Pop Bottles.
Brewed and bottled in downtown Buffalo – this is a case of antique, painted label, Oscar’s Beverages bottles, many with their flavor caps (Cola, Gingerale, Grapefruit) and in a matching wooden case. These were retrieved from an attic during salvage operations. Oscar Beverages was founded by Oscar Greenberg, a Russian immigrant who came to Buffalo in 1911. He founded Oscar’s beverages in the late 1920s. These bottles seem to date from the 1930’s or 1940’s. What’s really special is that the frugal person who stored these away so long ago had no idea they were preserving Buffalo history.

Buffalo Bar & Grille
307 Louisiana St
cash bar & light refreshments

Don’t miss this unique opportunity.
All proceeds go toward Buffalo ReUse’s Community Programs.  Our goal is to raise at least $6,000 so that we can continue our community efforts and pay the remainder of our Americorps stipend for 2010.

Thank you for your support.
btw IF YOU have a talent we can auction off, please contact Danielle or Caesandra at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org

For two years now, I’ve been sharing a little kooky idea to create a fleet of trikes that have the capability to water the newly planted trees, flower beds and planters throughout our neighborhood–using rain water! (see kooky napkin sketch at left).
The necessity of this hit home yesterday as I was driving up Dodge and noticed too many of the new trees look dry and knowing I don’t have an easy way to fix the problem.
We haven’t had much luck getting the Hydro Buffalo idea funded. I thought maybe “if I could just get it started” with a prototype–at least ONE trike, then riding that suped-up trike around could prove to everyone that it’s not just a kooky idea–it’s a GREAT kooky idea! and eventually we’d be able to expand the fleet.

Before you ask–YES, Blue Bike and Riverkeeper are aware of this idea, and we hope our collective audience is excited to help–we’re all in the same boat though. We need one adult trike to get us started! If anyone out there can donate a solid adult trike we can then weld a cart and get this thing rolling.  If you think you can help–please get in touch with Caesandra at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org or call 716-885-4131

Here’s the other part of the proposal if you are “People who know People”
Read the rest of this entry »

Folks, there’s lots and lots of exciting activities for August.

You can download our calendar from our website–click on the calendar or link.

We are always in need of people to help with publicizing or organizing events so if you need volunteer hours (or your teen does) contact us and let us know volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org

Please don’t get me wrong, we love the Garden Walk–I love anything that gets people out into the sidewalks and talking to one another about color and veggies and sunshine. And I realize that with 355 gardens on the Walk–it makes it difficult to map a larger area; however, there are many gardens east of Main Street that I think are worth visiting–namely those in our neighborhood:

• Our Rain Garden at the corner of Northampton & Michigan is very new! It was installed by National Grid employees as a corporate service project this past Earth Day 2010. The garden was designed by Matthew Dore of Buffalo Horticulture. Matt regraded the vacant double lot to guide rain water into the middle (like a shower drain) where a pergola was built surrounded by blueberry bushes. The lot also features a privacy fence using reclaimed flooring. The perennial flower beds have a backdrop of foundation stone.  Planters built from reclaimed hemlock floor joists double as seating along the sidewalk.
  Keep traveling down Northampton and
• You’ll discover a Bee Sanctuary which was once a vacant lot, but is now a warm blanket of yellow, amber, and bronze with summer wild flowers. (In the spring the lot was dotted with blues, pinks and purples). The wild flowers are native to the North East and are helping to fortify a sagging urban bee population.
• Our Children’s Vinery is truly unique!  It has an apple tree and six arbors supporting a variety of pole beans, melon, squash, tomatoes, eggplant and chard.  We have Mobile Victory Gardens donated by artist, Stella Maars which are growing herbs and pumpkins.  We’re just adding a teepee of morning glories.  We have experimental containers for growing potatoes and a strawberry patch which has delighted people of all ages!
• The Patchwork Garden is also a sight–50 different beds which neighbors, volunteers and groups have adopted!  Folks plant whatever they want in this community garden and they enjoy having a place to grow their own food and relax.  We host events like movie nights, cooking demos, art, performances and free gardening workshops in the garden.
• Just around the corner there is another style of community garden, The Cold Spring Community Garden on Southampton and Masten, managed by Dan Ash and Jessica Lang.  Their garden is a site where five houses once stood, but now there is an 8foot wall of tomatoes, several rows of vegetables and raspberry vines.  There are also fruit trees which will mature into a mixed bowl of cherries, plums, peaches, pears and apples!  Volunteers and neighbors work in the garden and are able to eat what they harvest.

Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into building these gardens and the whole reason is so people can come and enjoy them. We hope you’ll visit them soon.  Over the next 2years we hope that Northampton will showcase greenspace development and neighborhood stabilization.  It will be like a red carpet–only greener!  If you have questions or would like to get involved, please stop by our table at the Garden Walk/Talk this weekend!