by tradesmeninsights | Sep 26, 2019 | Events/Trade Shows, News, Press Release, Tradesmen Insights
CLEVELAND – September 2019 – Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, partnered with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity for a tenth year during its annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive, which ran the entire month of August and collected $28,000 worth of tools and building materials. Since Sonnhalter began its efforts in 2010, it has collected nearly $280,000 in donations.
Organizations, businesses and residents were encouraged to donate new and gently used tools, as well as building materials, furniture and appliances, to Sonnhalter to help benefit Habitat for Humanity’s cause of eliminating substandard housing and homelessness.
“Cleveland Habitat for Humanity eagerly awaits Sonnhalter’s annual Tool Drive,” said John Habat, president/CEO of the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. “It replenishes our inventory and generates revenues to support our affordable homeownership program. Sonnhalter has been doing this for ten years, demonstrating again and again its commitment to affordable housing in Cleveland. Sonnhalter is a treasured partner.” (more…)
by tradesmeninsights | Jul 12, 2018 | Events, Press Release, Tradesmen Insights
Help eliminate substandard housing during the month of August by donating extra inventory, demo models, tools and building materials that are no longer needed.
CLEVELAND – July 2018 – Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, is partnering with Habitat for Humanity again for the ninth annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive, during the entire month of August.
Organizations, businesses and manufacturers are encouraged to donate new and gently used tools, as well as cabinets, sinks, building materials and appliances, to the Sonnhalter Tool Drive between Wednesday, August 1 and Friday, August 31, to benefit Habitat for Humanity’s cause of eliminating substandard housing.
(more…)
by tradesmeninsights | Aug 19, 2015 | Events/Trade Shows
Right now we’re in the middle of our annual Tool Drive supporting the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Since our efforts started in 2010, we’ve found amazing support from our clients, partners, friends and community members.
We talked with Kevin Kelly with the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s new ReStore location to find out more about him, Habitat for Humanity and their Restores.
Here’s the conversation:
Q. What is your position at Habitat for Humanity?
A. Store Manager at our new Eastside location (4601 Northfield Rd, North Randall).
Q. What is the Habitat for Humanity Restore?
A. Habitat for Humanity Restores are non-profit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used appliances, furniture, building materials and house ware items. We sell to the public at a lower cost than retail.
Q. How long have you been with Habitat for Humanity?
A. More than three years. I first started as a volunteer for Habitat.
Q. What are your responsibilities at the Eastside Restore?
A. I manage all aspects of the store including personnel, donations, pricing and sales.
Q. Most memorable moment working for Habitat for Humanity?
A. The most memorable moment was a home dedication. Actually seeing a family get their home for the first time that I helped build. Also working with the many volunteers and companies.
Q. What’s the most unusual donation you’ve receives?
A. The most unusual donation was an X-ray of someone’s broken leg.
Q. Most common donations?
A. The most common donations are household items, appliances, furniture, knickknacks and building materials.
Q. What’s on the Restore donation wish list?
A. Anything and everything.
Q. What’s best about working for Habitat for Humanity?
A. Being able to affect the community in a positive manner.
Q. The Sonnhalter tagline is “Not Afraid to Get Our Hands Dirty.” What is your favorite way to get your hands dirty at Habitat for Humanity?
A. We recently opened the new store and I helped put the store together. This was very rewarding and dirty.
Q. What’s your favorite way to get your hands dirty outside of work?
A. I like working on homes. My son recently purchased a foreclosed home and we fixed many aspects of the home. It was a lot of fun working with him on the project and purchasing many of the items from the Habitat ReStore.
Q. Anything else to add?
A. We are grateful to Sonnhalter for the annual collection and donation of tools. We truly understand the work involved and appreciate their time and generosity toward the Habitat mission.
If you’re interested in participating in the Sonnhalter Tool Drive, visit sonnhalter.com/tooldrive or contact us to find out more.
by tradesmeninsights | Aug 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
Right now we’re in the middle of our annual Tool Drive supporting the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Since our efforts started in 2010, we’ve found amazing support from our clients, partners, friends and community members.
We talked with John Habat, executive director of the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity to find out more about him, Habitat for Humanity and their efforts. Here’s the conversation:
Q. What is your position at Habitat for Humanity?
A. I’m the executive director.
Q. How long have you been there?
A. 3 years
Q. What are your responsibilities at Habitat for Humanity?
A. Everything imaginable and some things I never imagined!
Q. What’s your most memorable moment working for Habitat for Humanity?
A. There are many. But I think if you consider the dedications of our finished houses – these are really special. Happy kids running through their new home, selecting bedrooms, etc. Also, it’s the energy in the air – such a spirit of gratitude permeates and there are tears of joys amongst the family, the volunteers and staff. These are truly special moments.
Q. What does Habitat for Humanity need most from the community and businesses that wish to help?
A. Volunteers make Habitat happen, and money helps too. We always need volunteers, particularly in the ReStore.
Q. Tell us something that people might not know about Habitat for Humanity.
A. It is the fastest growing volunteer movement ever! In under 40 years, 100 million people across the planet have come together to make affordable housing a reality for more than 3 million families.
Q. How do tool drives like the Sonnhalter 5th Annual Tool Drive benefit Habitat for Humanity?
A. Our ReStore is a go-to used and new retail store for construction items, and tools top the list of desired products. New ReStore revenues are dedicated to Habitat’s affordable housing program; last year, the ReStore generated enough funding to fully rehab 8 houses.
Q. What’s your favorite part of your position with Habitat for Humanity?
A. The diversity of issues is incredible. I have a lawyer, lobbyist, CAO, CFO and marketing and journalism background (I am not as old as that collectively may seem!), and all of these skills are used in running Habitat.
Q. The Sonnhalter tagline is “Not Afraid to Get Our Hands Dirty.” What is your favorite way to get your hands dirty at Habitat for Humanity?
A. I love seeing the donations that come in the ReStore trucks as they are being unloaded on the dock… and I can’t resist getting involved. I also thoroughly enjoy working the sales floor in the ReStore.
Q. What’s your favorite way to get your hands dirty outside of work?
A. Gardening
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A. The annual Sonnhalter Tool Drive is a highlight of our ReStore donation year. It is amazing how many tools you folks collect.
If you’re interested in participating in the Sonnhalter Tool Drive, visit sonnhalter.com/tooldrive or contact us to find out more. Click here to read last year’s interview with Frank from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
by tradesmeninsights | Aug 15, 2013 | Uncategorized
Right now we’re in the middle of our annual Tool Drive supporting the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Since our efforts started in 2010, we’ve found amazing support from our clients, partners, friends and community members.
We talked with Frank Drahan with the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity to find out more about him, Habitat for Humanity and their ReStore. Here’s the conversation:
Q. What is your position at Habitat for Humanity?
A. I’m the ReStore Manager
Q. What is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore?
A. The ReStore is about the four Rs: Recycle! Reuse! Reduce! Rebuild!
Regarding “recycle,” the ReStore is operated by Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity as one of the largest reuse and recycle centers in Cuyahoga County.
For reuse, the ReStore recycles and resells salvaged and reclaimed building materials, fixtures and tools that are in good condition.
In order to reduce, the ReStore diverts thousands of tons of usable materials from local landfills.
And finally, rebuild: The community can purchase affordable home improvement items at a fraction of retail cost and proceeds from the ReStore support Habitat’s mission to eliminate poverty housing through home construction and rehabilitation.
Q. How long have you been there?
A. 9 years
Q. What are your responsibilities at Restore?
A. I schedule donations, do customer service, help and work with our great volunteers, coordinate projects around the store and much more that comes with the day-to-day operations at the ReStore.
Q. What’s your most memorable moment working for Habitat for Humanity?
A. It would have to be opening the new ReStore at the new facility, where it’s currently operating.
Q. What do people most commonly donate?
Cabinets are the most common donation but are also needed
A. Kitchen cabinets and appliances
Q. What’s the most unusual donation that you’ve seen come in?
A. The strangest item that has been donated was an embalming machine from a funeral home.
Q. What’s on the ReStore donation wish list?
A. We always have a wish list of items that people might or might not think to donate which includes: appliances, kitchen and bath cabinets, lighting fixtures, sinks, furniture, tubs and showers, architectural salvage items, tools hand/power/yard… any tools!
We also need lumber that’s six feet or longer so we can use it, landscaping equipment, flooring and so much more.
Q. What’s best about working for Habitat for Humanity?
A. Getting to know all of our wonderful volunteers. Also, working with our customers and donors.
Q. The Sonnhalter tagline is “Not Afraid to Get Our Hands Dirty.” What is your favorite way to get your hands dirty at Habitat for Humanity?
A. Picking up donations and meeting the donors around Cuyahoga County
Q. What’s your favorite way to get your hands dirty outside of work?
A. BBQing!
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A. Thank you so much for your awesome support for the ReStore. We really appreciate everything you have done for us!
If you’re interested in participating in the Sonnhalter Tool Drive, visit sonnhalter.com/tooldrive or contact us to find out more.
