Nothing compares to having the right tools for the job, and an Atlanta organization has made it their mission to always have tools in stock so that they can do a lot of good. Their unique "library" isn't full of books, but it is home to shovels, brooms, ladders and lots of other tools.
The Atlanta ToolBank is a warehouse filled with tools that are only used for charitable purposes. Spokesperson Patty Russart says that sort of makes them a non-profit for a non-profit.
It's really more like a library. Non-profit organizations that need tools for a service project can visit the Atlanta ToolBank and check them out for a very small fee.
Russart says they don't have to worry about keeping and taking care of their own tools, not to mention insuring them. The Atlanta ToolBank takes care of all of that for them, and that's a big relief for organizations that just want to do some good but may not have the resources.
Those organizations will find no shortage of options in the "library," which holds 180 different kinds of tools. There are hundreds of each tool. So who keeps track of all of that? Master librarian C.J. Clark is charged with that task. She keeps it all organized, and she says checking out tools is a simple idea that can make a lasting impact.
"It works well with the volunteer groups," said Clark. "You typically have a large number of people who that are highly motivated-- not necessarily skilled. So they don't need tools that a contractor would have. They need basic tools. That's what we have and we have them in large numbers."
If there's one tool that suffers the most at the tool bank, organizers say it's their work gloves. In fact, they need work gloves so much that they're hosting a Work Glove Collection Contest. They hope to get 1,000 new pairs by the end of the month.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:44:17 GMT
A Jasper County teen was reunited with an EMT who helped save her life 13 years ago.
A Jasper County teen was reunited with an EMT who helped save her life 13 years ago. FOX 5 viewers provided information that led Alyssa Haskew to the moment she's waited more than a decade for: to say thank you to Scott Thomas.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:34 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:34:58 GMT
Parents are asking about the safety of the schools in the event of a tornado after the devastation suffered in Moore, Okla.
Parents are asking about the safety of the schools in the event of a tornado after the devastation suffered in Moore, Okla. School and emergency officials insist having kids sheltered in school buildings rather than being picked up is the best solution.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:22:14 GMT
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tea party groups and Georgia Republican leaders are gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to protest the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:17:01 GMT
The wives of Atlanta police and firefighters have put up billboards telling Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta City Council to give their spouses a pay raise.
The wives of Atlanta police and firefighters have put up billboards telling Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta City Council to give their spouses a pay raise.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:24 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:24:51 GMT
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.
Southern Baptists in metro Atlanta are doing their part to assist victims of Tuesday's violent twisters.The North American Mission Board has volunteers on the ground in Oklahoma and more relief is on the
