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Pgh Mobile Toolbox Serves and Supports 24 Projects in 26 Communities During Inaugural Season

Oct 16, 2017

In spring 2017, in partnership with our allies at GTECH, we launched the PGH Mobile Toolbox – a shared community resource to volunteer groups and organizations who need landscaping tools for neighborhood cleanups, vacant lot beautification and the implementation and maintenance of food gardens, green infrastructure, trails or general community gathering spaces.

Since then, this first-of-its-kind resource in Allegheny County, has removed barriers to resident activation of vacant land including tool/equipment access and transportation, and technical expertise on topics such as soil testing.

In just the first season in operation, the PGH Mobile Toolbox has served 24 projects in 26 communities and engaged over 200 volunteers on food, flower and orchard garden installation and maintenance, celebration event preparation and community clean-up projects. In addition to the steady stream of Toolbox reservations, reviews of the Toolbox by participants have been glowing, recurring standing reservations throughout the first season occurred frequently and reservations for the 2018 season have already been placed!

A special thank you goes to the Hillman Foundation, PNC Charitable Trust and the Tides Foundation for your generous support of the PGH Moblie Toolbox!

Check out some highlights from our inaugural season:

44 workdays completed
26 communities engaged
260 volunteers coordinated
1000 hours of volunteer work donated
24 outdoor spaces brought to life!

The season kicked off at the African Healing Garden in Larimer with GGC Member Miss Betty Lane!
The team had a fun filled workday removing old vegetation to make room for a the new Brookline Community Garden! photo credit | GTECH
The PGH Mobile Toolbox helped a Community Orchard in Wilkinsburg come to life! photo credit | GTECH
Everyone is signed up and ready to get working in Forest Hills! Our friend Jmar, from Hilltop Rising, is giving a quick safety demo. After, the PGH Mobile Toolbox and crew helped plant nearly 100 perennials to help beautify what was once a vacant space. photo credit | GTECH
ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador, Dana, had the trailer to help with spring maintenance on her vacant lot project. With help of our Americorps volunteers. These weeds don’t stand a chance at Dana’s Reservoir Retreat. photo credit | GTECH
Our friends at the Sankofa Community Garden in Homewood were great hosts for this workday. Everyone helped with spring maintenance at the garden, topping off the planting beds at the garden. photo credit | GTECH
This project in the Hilltop at the corner of Mountain and Fisher Ave brings neighbors and children together through conversation and games! photo credit | GTECH

Follow the conversation on Twitter #PghToolbox

The California Kirkbride community brought in volunteers from @Pitt_NSBE for the #PghToolbox on a productive Saturday. #Sustainability pic.twitter.com/IsFgiQzsUd
— DECO Resources, LLC (@DECO_Resources) June 10, 2017

Jmar of #HilltopRising is helping @HilltopAlliance clean up The Corner with the #PghToolbox from @GTECHstrategies and @nhbdalliespgh pic.twitter.com/ceSirl27sY
— DECO Resources, LLC (@DECO_Resources) June 9, 2017