Outdoor Home Maintenance

Fall is here and it's time to start thinking about winterizing your home. Here are some simple things you can do that will save you the headache of having to repair something and it'll save you lots of money in the long run. After all, maintaining your outdoor abode is just a part of being a responsible homeowner.

Faucets and Hoses

To prevent problems caused by water freezing, close the valve to each outdoor faucet. To release any remaining water from the pipes, turn the outdoor faucet handle slightly after you shut off the valve. 

Gutters and Roof

It's time to jump on the roof and remove any debris that has accumulated. A soft bristled broom will prevent any damage to your shingles. The gutters need to be cleaned as well. You can use a small handle tool to get rid of smaller debris. In addition, clean the downspouts. Check to see if the downspouts or gutters need any repairs. If you take the time to clean your roof and gutters, you can prevent extensive water damage that could cause a leak through the roof.

Doorways and Windows

To prevent drafts and leaks through your doorways and windows during winter, you'll need to check the caulk around them. Sometimes the caulk can get old and it will need to be removed and re-caulked.

Wooden Decks

Sweep away any debris around the deck and cover your outdoor furniture. Store away any accessories that won't be in use during the harsh winter weather.

Air Conditioning System

Cover the outside unit with tarp or plastic sheeting and secure with bungee cords.

Driveways

Check the pavement for cracks that can cause more damage once the harsh winter snow and ice conditions arrive.



**Photo: "Red autumn leaves" by Jim - http://www.flickr.com/photos/alphageek/57100167. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_autumn_leaves.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Red_autumn_leaves.jpg

9.20.14 ECM Work Day in Elyria

Cherry Creek High School Big Sisters

ECM Board of Directors

Phil Montanez Group

PICU Sunshine

Summary of 9.20.14 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 40
• Projects Completed - 5
• Alleys Cleaned - 2
• Volunteer Hours - 180

ECM Happy Hour - Wednesday, September 24

We are having another Happy Hour on, Wednesday, September 24. It's going to be at the Fuel Cafe in the Taxi community. The Fuel Cafe has a great menu. 

Extreme Community Makeover will be hosting happy hours every so often as a way for volunteers to get to know other volunteers and to hear about more volunteer opportunities with ECM. 

Extreme Teams are a great opportunity to get more involved with ECM. We have the Program Team opportunities that consist of the logistics team, the photography team, the projects team and the video team. Our Strategy Team opportunities consist of the communications team, follow-up team, the fundraising team, the neighborhoods team, the supplies team and the survey team. 

Stop by our Happy Hour to find out about getting more involved and to mix and mingle with other volunteers. See you this coming Wednesday! 

RSVP to Happy Hour. 

Save the Date: Art is Almost in the Air...Coming Fri Nov 14!

Art is in the Air: Fri Nov 14 Mark your calendar for our annual "Art is in the Air" event, coming to the Artwork Network gallery on Friday, November 14 with great food, drinks, and silent auction items.  Hope to see you there!

The City of Denver's Budget for 2015

Mayor Michael B. Hancock with his CFO Carry Kennedy announced his 2015 budget proposal, a plan that will create opportunity in every neighborhood and allow the city to meet the demands of a booming population, vibrant economy and increased development.

Full Circle Recycling: How Choosing the Right Products Can Support Recycling

Recycling is an easy and effective way for Denver residents to reduce their impact on the environment. However, placing recyclable material into Denver’s purple recycling carts is only the first step in the circular process of recycling which includes collection, re-manufacturing and consumer choice. When combined, these three phases of the recycling process are capable of preserving natural resources, reducing pollution, reducing the need for landfill capacity, and saving energy. Here are some examples of how the three-part recycling process works within the City and County of Denver:

•    Collection: Denver residents collect and recycle materials in purple carts. Then, Denver Recycles’ trucks pick up this material and deliver it to a material processing facility in north Denver where materials are separated and sorted for shipment to manufacturing facilities.   

•    Manufacturing: Recycled materials are re-processed and turned into new products. It’s hard to believe, but it only takes six weeks for an aluminum can to make it from a purple recycling cart to the grocery shelf as a new aluminum can!

•    Consumer: Consumer choices drive the market for recycled products. When possible, Denver residents are urged to purchase recycled content products that are made from the very material they recycle in their homes, offices and schools. 




•    Post-Consumer Waste: This is the best choice and means that the product is made from materials that were discarded after their original use into recycling programs like Denver’s. For example, paper towels made from post-consumer waste contain fibers that were once part of office paper, cardboard or other materials Denver residents regularly put in their purple carts. 

•    Pre-Consumer Waste or Post-Industrial Waste: This means the product is made from waste generated in the manufacturing process. While this is a great form of recycling, the purchase of post-consumer content should take priority over pre-consumer content.

•    Recyclable: It’s great to buy products that are recyclable. However, this label doesn't necessarily mean that the product is made from recycled materials. 





For more information about what can be recycled in Denver, visit DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles, or call 311 (720-913-1311).

9.6.14 ECM Work Day in Westwood

Cherry Creek High School Big Sisters

ENVD Divers Scholars

MSU Volunteer Management Class

Regis Jesuit Day for Others

Individuals - Take 1

Individuals - Take 2

Summary of 9.6.14 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 95
• Projects Completed - 10
• Alley Cleaned - 5
• Volunteer Hours - 450

The Benefits of Volunteering

People have many reasons for why they decide to volunteer. Within all those reasons, there is no argument that volunteering is a win-win for everyone. There are many benefits to volunteering.

1) The Benefit of Giving Back 

It's very fulfilling to give back to others. Doing something good for others, creates a satisfactory feeling knowing you helped put a smile on someone's face.

2) The Benefit of Personal Growth 

Volunteering gets individuals outside of their little box and expands their understanding of the community and world they live in.

3) The Benefit of Learning New Things 

There is the opportunity to learn new things when you volunteer. Depending on the organization you volunteer for, there are new skills you can learn while giving a helping hand.

4) The Benefit of Fun

Volunteering is fun! You get to meet new people, do something different and enjoy the satisfaction of making a difference.

5) The Benefit of Gaining Confidence 

Volunteering puts confidence in individuals because it makes us happy. Volunteering improves our physical and mental health and over-all life-satisfication.

September Extreme Endeavors: Getting to Know Our Neighbors

Extreme Community Makeover Newsletter  September Extreme Endeavors September 2014

In This Issue Stories of Impact Neighbor to Neighbor Club Church Partner: God's Grace Community Church August Volunteers Quick Links About ECM  Contact ECM           Donate  Help ECM build stronger communities in Denver through your financial support.     Checks can be made to:   Extreme Community Makeover    and sent to:    Extreme Community Makeover PO Box 102586 Denver, CO 80250-2586 During the August 9 Work Day, ECM received a visit from a local news station to highlight some of the projects going on around Denver as part of the second-annual Denver Days, which is a way to encourage neighbors to get to know one another better through block parties, social events, and service projects.  We had a great day of meeting new neighbors, completing projects in the Barnum neighborhood, and then having a story about one of those projects aired on the local news that evening.  Check it out here.  What are some things that you could do to get to know your neighbors a little better?    Angela Bomgaars, Executive Director  ECM Work Days Click here to view the schedule for all ECM Work Days.  To register a group, click here.  To register an individual, click here.                  Saturday, September 6 @ 9:00 am (Westwood)    Redeemer Lutheran Church - 3300 West Nevada  Place, Denver, 80219         Saturday, September 20 @ 9:00 am (Elyria)    Colorado Miners - 4809 Race Street, Denver, 80216      To get involved, please RSVP to Angela and follow the links below to fill out the appropriate liability form.

Stories of Impact Check out this story from another project we did during the August 9 ECM Work Day!  ECM Testimonial - Barnum Neighborhood - ECM Work Day 8.9.14 Neighbor to Neighbor Club   The Neighbor to Neighbor Club is a way to connect monthly donations to the projects ECM completes. Every $10 per month donated to ECM is the equivalent of supporting one project during the year, which seems like a pretty great investment since you could easily spend that same amount on one movie or a couple cups of coffee at Starbucks!  For more info or to sign-up today, click here.   Our goal is to reach 250 projects funded with monthly donations.  Can we count on you to help?   Church Partner: God's Grace Community Church God's Grace Community Church is a community church, classical in their beliefs, contemporary in practice and worship style. The people of God's Grace have been growing in faith together since December 2004 with a passion for loving God, loving people, and serving the world, while meeting at Rock Canyon High School.  God's Grace Community Church has been involved with ECM for the past five years and is a great partner to be serving Denver together "one block at a time"! August Volunteers Thank you to all our volunteers during the month of August - including Mayor Hancock! Bethany United Methodist Church Black Hills Area Youth Ministry Team Colorado Christian University Greenwood Community Church Mile High Young Professionals Ogletree Deakins TASC Individuals

Thank you for partnering with ECM to make a difference in Denver neighborhoods!       Sincerely,   Extreme Community Makeover