Make a difference, do it: Rebuilding Together’s Tradesperson of the Year

It’s hard to make a difference, I can’t lie. But it can be done. It might not seem like it. Or feel like it. But it’s people like you—whoever you are, whatever you can do—that do it. It’s in the doing.

Theresa and I see it on every Rebuilding Together. People’s lives change when other people give their time and love and strength.

You don’t have to be a pro, or Captain DIY. You just have to want to make a difference for people who’ve earned it, for kids who need it.

If you do choose to help Rebuilding Together, please do me a favor: Keep an eye peeled for the men and women who wear tool-belts for a living. The pros.

They’re usually easy to spot: They’re alone. Or with just a few others. And sweating through their clothes.

The project will be huge. A porch. A roof. A deck. And without them, it’s damn near impossible to make that difference.

I met two guys working on a porch in Nashville. Without them, it wasn’t going to get re-built. But it did. In Columbus, we met a builder replacing a deck that would have been left rotting and unsafe. But it wasn’t. In Gerritsen Beach, a remodeler rallied to get materials and manpower on a stalled job. And un-stalled it.

They pull up in their trucks, go to work, get it done. They answer questions and loan tools.

They make a difference.

If you meet one of these pros giving their love and time and strength—and craft—nominate him or her for Tradesperson of the Year. They might win $5,000.

And you will definitely make a difference.