For Immediate Release
April 25, 2002

OAKLAND, Calif - By the time the volunteers are done, Verda Gaines, of West Oakland, may not recognize her own home on Hannah St. About 40 volunteers, most from the Port of Oakland, are converging on her house this Saturday, April 27, to give Ms. Gaines' home and garden a major facelift.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Port of Oakland is working through Rebuilding Together and sponsoring the renovation and repair of a home in the community. Rebuilding Together is the new name for this volunteer project which used to be called Christmas in April. The day is completely funded through donations by organizations such as the Port of Oakland, and volunteers do all of the work.

Port of Oakland Executive Director Tay Yoshitani said, "The Port of Oakland is proud to be able to contribute to our community in such a meaningful way." Yoshitani added, "I am always impressed by the generosity of our employees who willingly donate their time and skills to help our neighbors."

The volunteers will paint both the inside and outside of Mrs. Gaines' home. They will also install windows, repair the kitchen ceiling, perform both electrical and plumbing work. On the outside, they will build a new set of stairs in the front of the house, and spruce up her garden. In fact, so much needs to be done to make the house beautiful that volunteers will be back again before the home makeover is completed.

The work will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude, for the day, at 4:30 p.m. "We have a wonderful and skilled group of volunteers ready to start," said Port of Oakland's Community Affairs Representative Janice Adam. "We know that once the work is done, Mrs. Gaines will be better able to enjoy her home," Adam stated.

Note: The address is 3248 Hannah St., Oakland

Contact:
Janice Adam
Community Affairs Representative
(510) 627-1236
jadam@portoakland.com

Alternate Media Contact:
Midori Tabata
Communications Assistant
(510) 627-1187
mtabata@portoakland.com