Community Commitments

As a prominent member of the Eastside business community since the late 1970s, Jack Tenhulzen recognized early on that he had a responsibility to give back to his community. His personal philosophy is grounded in the conviction that there is "...strength through humility..." and that satisfaction is found in practicing one's core values. The majority of his company's efforts have been organized through, and under the auspices of, the Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties (MBA). In conjunction with MBA and its vast resources, Tenhulzen Remodeling has proven that it is possible to create significant and positive change.

Examples:

Co-Captain
A project initiated by the Master Builders Care Foundation of the MBA was to transform a dilapidated fourplex owned by Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing (K.I.T.H.). This charitable organization committed to providing a comfortable environment for Eastside homeless families to get back on their feet. The structure was in dire need of substantial upgrades to make it livable. Michael Tenhulzen co-captained the project, coordinating construction budgeting, material allocation and a small army of volunteer labor. The benefits of the upgrade improves an average of 25 lives per year.

As an integral part of Redmond, we recognize the importance of being involved in Community Organizations Active in Disasters (C.O.A.D.). This group of local faith organizations, businesses, government officials and schools has formulated a disaster plan to respond to disasters on a local basis, engaging on day 2 until formal disaster relief arrives on or about 7. This is traditionally a time when it is nearly impossible for State and National agencies to activate their organizations rapidly enough to be useful. A painful reminder of this critical response time was emphasized with Hurricane Katrina's devastation to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in 2005.

Homes for Little Hands was a success for participating builders, the Master Builders Care Foundation, King County Boys & Girls Clubs and individual families. Tenhulzen Remodeling constructed the TR Tug Boat Playhouse for this event in 2000, using plans drafted by one of our designer interns. The entire build took 2 months and involved volunteer labor from nearly everyone on staff. When complete, the Tugboat Playhouse was trucked to a site where it was displayed along with 8 other designs built by MBA builder members. On the last day of the display, a large media event and auction drew hundreds of Puget Sound residents. The winning bidder for the TR Tugboat Playhouse was also a TR client.

In 2005, Tenhulzen Remodeling built the TR Idylwood Boathouse, installed at Redmond's Idylwood Park. We approached the City of Redmond with interest in a community event surrounding Derby Days. Following some discussion, it was decided to dedicate a covered picnic area for a budget-strapped parks department improvement at Idylwood. The design was loosely based on a kit-design proposed to the City to mimic the resort boathouse on the property in the 1950's. Materials donated by TR vendors were assembled and erected at the 2005 Redmond Derby Days. The structure permanently stands in the center of the children's play area at Idylwood Park.

Rampathon is the MBA's longest-standing community event, and Tenhulzen Remodeling has been a ramp captain virtually every year since the program began. Rampathon has grown from 5 ramps in 1990 to 26 ramps in 2005. Each May, TR staff volunteer a Saturday and part of Sunday, depending on the complexity of the ramp to give residents in our community who are confined to a wheelchair, uninhibited access to the outside world. It is a most satisfying feeling to know you have provided access for someone who has had to rely on others to lift them up and down stairs.