Success Stories
Managed by The Home Depot Canada Foundation, TEAM DEPOT is The Home Depot's volunteer force that brings together associates to help the communities where The Home Depot operates through hands-on service.
Each year, Team Depot associates use their "know-how" to complete meaningful community projects, resulting in a contribution of more than 60,000 hours of volunteer time.
March 14
The soup kitchen at the Upper Room Mission was visited by associates from The Home Depot Vernon, BC location today. A team of associates assisted with the renovations of the cabinets, countertops, and flooring of the soup kitchen. By the end of the day, the kitchen was outfitted with new appliances and a fresh coat of paint.
"By participating in the renovation of the soup kitchen at Upper Room Mission, we helped ensure that this community partner continues to support the hungry and homeless in this community,"said Trent Appell, Assistant Store Manager at Vernon, BC. "This project was a great way for us to give back to the community we serve."
March 10
Parts of the warehouse and bathrooms at The Mississauga Food Bank were made over by associates from The Home Depot Mississauga Britannia location. Associates painted for the day, and updated the bathrooms with new vanities and baseboards.
"The Mississauga Food Bank was getting ready to host a fundraising event at their warehouse, and the store wanted to make sure they were prepared," says Pilar Andrulat, Kitchens and Appliances Supervisor. "We wanted to ensure that the event was a success, to continue to ensure every family in our community receives the service they need."
March 2
Today was a busy day for associates from The Home Depot's Durham Region stores. Associates from The Home Depot Morningside, Peterborough and Belleville stores also participated.
The group packed up a bunch of painting and cleaning supplies and headed to the YWCA's "Wish Shelter" which offers refuge and referral services to women and children escaping violence.
As soon as they arrived, associates got to work cleaning and painting the shelter, and accomplished all of the work they set out to do by the end of the day.
"The YWCA Durham provides a number of programs and services to the members of our community but the Y Wish Shelter is critical," said Lesley Regan, Store Manager, The Home Depot Oshawa store and Team Depot Captain. "We were proud to freshen up the space so it is comfortable for the women and children that visit the shelter."
March 1 - 2
Armagh - a non-profit second-stage housing program which offers a safe, supportive housing for abused women with or without children - received a makeover today thanks to associates from The Home Depot Oakville, Mississauga and Mississauga South stores.
Jo Ann Cattell, District Services Manager and Stefano Paolone, Store Manager of The Home Depot Mississauga store and Team Depot District Captain gathered 10 of their peers to replace the flooring, paint a meeting room and install blinds for the organization.
"Knowing what this organization does to support our community and understanding their needs just motivated us to work harder to get the job done," said Jo Ann. "We look forward to staying in touch with the team at Armagh with hopes we will be able to return to complete additional projects in the future."
February 29
Associates from The Home Depot locations across the lower mainland of British Columbia spent the day at the Tri-City Transition House - an emergency shelter that provides temporary support for adult women and their dependent children who are victims of domestic violence or are at risk of experiencing abuse, threats and/or violence.
"The kitchen, living room and hallway of the shelter were in dire need of a fresh coat of paint, so we rounded up some paint trays, rollers, brushes and drop cloths and got right to work" said Rhonda Brayshaw, Store Manager and Team Depot Captain. "A few hours later, the shelter had a completely different look and the staff team was beaming at the results. It felt great to give back to our community today."
February 29
The YWCA Sheriff King Home - an emergency shelter for abused women and children - received a fresh coat of paint on its walls today thanks to associates from a number of The Home Depot locations in Calgary, AB.
The project, was organized by Aileen Enriquez, Store Human Resources Manager and Paul Ofner, Team Depot Captain.
"Giving back to the community is a core value at The Home Depot," explains Aileen. "There is nothing more rewarding than providing our time, talent and resources to charitable organizations who help so many and ask for so little."
The YWCA has invited The Home Depot associates to provide ideas for a new name for the room they painted.
February 4 & 5
For an entire weekend, associates from The Home Depot Calgary North Hills store escaped the winter chill by completing an indoor project at Inn From the Cold, a transitional shelter that supports families in need.
Under the leadership of Vernadette Legaspi, Assistant Store Manager and Team Depot Captain, a group of eager associates gathered the supplies required to frame, drywall and lay flooring in Inn From the Cold's new family intake offices.
"The Inn is expanding its intake area due to overwhelming demand for their services, said Vernadette. "We are proud to give our time and know-how to complete a project that will provide families in need with a place to turn to in the most timely manner possible.
Inn From the Cold was the recipient of a $25,000 grant from The Home Depot Canada Foundation in 2010. The grant was provided to support their kitchen renovation project.
January 11
Today, Interval House, a not-for-profit, safe haven for women and their children fleeing violence got organized thanks to a group of associates at The Home Depot South Keys store location.
Associates worked with Karen MacInnis, Executive Director of Interval House to select sorting bins, shelving and storage items that allowed them organize various storage areas around their new home. The Home Depot also provided some new furnishings for the living room space.
"There is nothing more rewarding than volunteering to complete a project that will benefit so many people in the community," said Sonny Seccull, Operations Assistant Store Manager and Team Depot Captain at The Home Depot South Keys store. "We hope the staff team and visitors find the space warm and inviting."
January 4
The Night Light emergency youth shelter, operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara, received a fresh coat of paint today thanks to a hard working team of The Home Depot associates from the Niagara Falls and St. Catharines store locations.
The shelter is designed to assist youth 16 - 30 years of age by providing temporary sleeping and living accommodations, meals, laundry and shower facilities, security, counselling, development of life skills and access to community resources.
"We are proud to have such a strong partnership with the Boys and Girls Club," explains Andrew Nixon, Assistant Store Manager and Team Depot Captain. "We have painted the Club's main facility in the past, and are happy to have the opportunity to assist with painting at their shelter. In addition to painting, we hope to update window coverings, lighting and replace some worn down flooring."
As part of their ongoing partnership, The Home Depot will work with the Club to arrange additional project days to address ongoing repair needs once this project is complete.
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