More than 40 employees at Eaton Vehicle Group stepped away from making power management products for the auto industry and turned their talents into making life better for shelter dogs and cats.

The team donated approximately 300 labor hours to improve Almost Home Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Southfield, last month as part of the National Day of Caring. Eaton partnered with Rebuilding Together Southeast Michigan (RTSEM), a local affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving affordable home ownership and revitalizing communities.

Eaton volunteers performed a wide variety of tasks at the shelter, including:

• Planting and trimming trees
• Repairing kennels
• Installing windscreen and tarps in the kennel area
• Regrading side and rear yard gate entry areas
• Planting flower beds
• Cleaning up debris
• Repairing loose and broken steps, risers and ramps on the agility course
• Painting signage, exterior doors, trash bins and picnic tables

Eaton also donated $1,000, 400 pounds of dog and cat food and other pet supplies to the organization.

“Eaton is proud to have partnered with RTSEM and the City of Southfield to rehabilitate the community for more than a decade,” says Darlene Oleksik, manager, marketing communications, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “Our employees are passionate about our philosophy of giving back to the places in which we work and live.”

Since Eaton began partnering with RTSEM in 2008, the company has rehabilitated numerous homes and community sites around Southfield, enabled a city block rehabilitation in Pontiac and funded a year-round home repair program.

“Rebuilding Together Southeast Michigan is thankful for our partnership with Eaton Corporation over the years, which has enabled us to make a significant investment within the City of Southfield through their army of volunteers and funding,” says Halie Black, executive director, RTSEM. “Eaton’s contributions not only assist us in serving the community by revitalizing parks, nonprofits and homes, but also allow our organization to provide year-round service to the community and grow beyond Oakland County to Southeast Michigan.”

This is the 11th consecutive year Eaton Southfield volunteers dedicated their time and effort to improving the local community.

Almost Home, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to finding loving, forever homes for homeless animals, also serves as the City of Southfield’s animal shelter. Up to 50 animals may occupy the facility at one time, and the shelter places 350 to 375 animals annually.

  Almost Home Animal Rescue, Eaton Vehicle Group, National Day of Caring, no-kill shelters in metro Detroit, Rebuilding Together Southeast Michigan, volunteering in metro Detroit