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| Partnerships
Community Leaders and Civic Leaders elevate RTP's rebuilding efforts in unique ways. Partnerships at these levels not only support individual homeowners in need, but also link to neighborhood revitalization efforts.
To learn more about how a gift of $25,000 or more can help transform a community, please contact Carrie Rathmann, Executive Director at carrie@rebuildingphilly.org.
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A first time sponsor to RTP, Cricket has shot to the top of the ranks with a very large sponsorship of our Walnut Hill Block Build project. You've probably heard Cricket commercials or seen its billboards – R-E-S-P-E-C-K-T! Cricket respects communities, and its presence is apparent throughout the communities that RTP traditionally serves. What a natural match with RTP! Cricket recently entered the Philadelphia market in full force, and chose RTP to help it make an equally strong impact on the communities that buy its cell phones and wireless services.
The origins of this sponsorship start back in the late 1990s when John Long, now Vice President of Marketing at Cricket Communications, was a Wharton Graduate student and led West Philadelphia Operations with distinction. His life-altering experience back then has ushered this relationship, resulting into a “platinum” national partnership that is having a significant impact on six cities across the country. Here in Philadelphia, in the fall of 2009, Cricket employees helped five low-income homeowners with essential repairs, worked on streetscaping projects, and hosted a palooza of activities for neighborhood residents. Cricket's sponsorship also is anchoring RTP's spring activities in West Philadelphia, and plans are already underway for a Block Build in the Fall of 2010. Visit www.mycricket.com to learn more about this company and its community involvement.
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Our third Block Build this spring (the second in Germantown) is sponsored by Popular Mechanics. The magazine's publisher approached RTP after its amazing experience with Rebuilding Together New Orleans in 2009 which featured AmeriCorps volunteers. Having been converted to an RT fan, Popular Mechanics sought another affiliate with which to partner and demonstrate its commitment to communities to its readers. A series of collaborative brainstorming sessions led to a one-of-a-kind project that just might change the way RTP works with communities in the future. Popular Mechanics and RTP are helping a neighborhood “go green.” Historically, low-income homeowners have had little access to information and resources regarding energy efficiency, and traditionally do not engage in behaviors that promote such efficiency. In fact, it is estimated that low-income homeowners spend 20% of their income on utility costs. In short, the “green revolution” has yet to trickle down to low-income neighborhoods where daily changes may have the highest impact, stretching limited resources further.
Through this Block Build two to three homeowners will receive significant energy-efficient upgrades such as a solar hot water heater. To be a catalyst for greening an entire block and ensuring the highest level of participation, volunteers will “touch” every house on the block in a meaningful way though at varying degrees, and provide the tools and education that will lead to ongoing change and cost savings. RTP has identified a list of potential interior and exterior energy-efficient upgrades, which range in cost and scope. Popular Mechanics will publish an extended article this fall, featuring this experience and encouraging their readers to feel confident and competent in taking on similar projects. The Block Build will culminate in a Rebuilding Day in June featuring the hands-on participation of magazine and advertiser employees. Complete the volunteer application here (and be sure to select "Popular Mechanics June 5" for the Project).
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PREIT/Portfolio Marketing Group
Volunteers from Portfolio Marketing Group, the in-house advertising agency for Center City based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), offered their pro bono services to RTP in 2008 and 2009. Portfolio Marketing Group developed a marketing plan that focused on recruiting volunteer teams and skilled volunteers and heightened our presence in the Philadelphia community in 2009 through an awareness campaign to the general public. Most notably, they helped us take advantage of our most successful PR opportunity, the chance to be featured on HGTV's website and a national television program. We won! PREIT owns and manages more than 35 million square feet of retail space in 13 states, including Cherry Hill Mall, Willow Grove Park, The Gallery at Market East, Exton Square, Voorhees Town Center, Plymouth Meeting Mall, Springfield Mall, Cumberland Mall and Moorestown Mall. |
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