Meet an Outstanding Volunteer!
Rudi Schafer
As Rebuilding Together Oakland gets ready for its twentieth anniversary, the spotlight this month is on a volunteer who has been with Rebuilding Together for almost that long: Rudi Schafer. A native of Oakland, he has worked with us for the past twelve years, and started volunteering when we were still Christmas in April. He and his construction company, Schafer Construction, have given countless hours to better the lives of Oakland residents. Rudi embodies the very essence of Rebuilding Together Oakland, helping homeowners feel empowered by repairing the homes they have lived in for so long. "It's in my blood to give back," Rudi says.
Rudi got started with Christmas in April when a good friend invited him to help out on a project. He was instantly hooked. "Once you have helped…it's very gratifying. There was something that touched me, and they kept calling me back!" His favorite project was working on Children's Fairyland by Lake Merritt, which has a special place in Rudi's heart. He and his sister were the first Hansel and Gretel there forty years ago! It was an unusual project, but Rudi was excited to have the chance to repair and beautify the structures he remembered from his childhood.
It isn't the projects alone that keep Rudi coming back. At the end of the day, it is the feeling of authenticity, the feeling of having given someone better quality of life, which sticks with him. Rudi appreciates witnessing homeowners and others who are amazed that strangers will lend a hand just because the work needs to be done.
Thanks for your service, Rudi, and see you in April!
Rudi got started with Christmas in April when a good friend invited him to help out on a project. He was instantly hooked. "Once you have helped…it's very gratifying. There was something that touched me, and they kept calling me back!" His favorite project was working on Children's Fairyland by Lake Merritt, which has a special place in Rudi's heart. He and his sister were the first Hansel and Gretel there forty years ago! It was an unusual project, but Rudi was excited to have the chance to repair and beautify the structures he remembered from his childhood.
It isn't the projects alone that keep Rudi coming back. At the end of the day, it is the feeling of authenticity, the feeling of having given someone better quality of life, which sticks with him. Rudi appreciates witnessing homeowners and others who are amazed that strangers will lend a hand just because the work needs to be done.
Thanks for your service, Rudi, and see you in April!
