ARA Foundation completes impact project

The American Rental Association (ARA) Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation provided equipment and 50 volunteers during a renovation project for the residents of Renewal House in Nashville, Tenn.

The impact project was completed in collaboration with Ditch Witch of Tennessee, Grand Central Party Rental, Southern Events Party Rentals, MTA Distributors, Taylor Rental of Manchester, All Occasions Party Rental, John Deere, McCoy Construction and Forestry, Coker Rental Company, Sunbelt Rentals and KATO Compact Excavator Sales.

Volunteers came from throughout the country to help install a children’s play area with brand new playground equipment, new picnic tables, repairing and painting a deck plus fences. Additionally, new landscaping was planted after the removal of older shrubs and trees to make it a clean and safe environment.

In addition to revitalizing the Renewal House property, The ARA Foundation donated a $20,000 grant to Renewal House. Summer Stevens, operations manager of Renewal House, was thankful to be involved in the planning of this project. “All of the women that benefit from these property improvements have graduated a recovery program and are living here independently with their children. This gives our residents a safe and clean outdoor space for their family to enjoy. We are so proud of these ladies and are happy that the community recognizes their hard work,” Stevens said.

Jill Cole, owner, Southern Events Party Rental, Franklin, Tenn., who also serves as president of the ARA of Tennessee, brought two groups of volunteers to participate in this wonderful project. “It is great to be involved in a community project to give back. Our staff have enjoyed being a part of this process and it is good for them to see what is needed in our world and how they can help. It’s a privilege for me to be able to provide that experience for them through our company and the ARA Foundation,” said Cole.