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Dad Uses Prize Money for Good Deeds

While you stare at unfinished home improvement projects from last summer, Charles Muller is about to start renovating his second building — and it’s all for charity.

Muller won the grand prize in the Sears “Unsung Heroes: Dads Making a Difference” contest. Sears says Muller was picked as one of the 10 finalists from over 125,000 entries. Then, America made him the winner.

 

What made him so deserving? Muller, a resident of Rensselaer, N.Y., took a run-down building and turned it into a place where poor children can get a meal. For his good deeds, Muller will get $30,000 worth of labor and materials from Sears. Of course, he isn’t letting that go to waste. His prize will be used to restore a local Boys and Girls Club. Without the renovations, the building would have to be closed.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as the winner, and am touched by the overwhelming support and votes I received from friends, family and members of my community,” said Muller. “I am very grateful to Sears for recognizing other dads and me for making a difference. I am excited to get started on restoring a building used by the local Boys and Girls club that is in desperate need of many repairs that they themselves cannot do alone.”

If you like a good Extreme Makeover-style story, head over to the Sears website to read more about Muller as well as the other finalists.

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on August 14, 2010 at 10:38 am
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Day of the Deck

Everyone enjoys some good deck space. I use mine to grow plants, eat ribs, and I even drag my computer out there to do a little work on occasion. In other words, I spend plenty of time celebrating the uses of my deck. Now, there’s an official day where deck owners can flaunt to non-deck owners.

composite decking

It’s coming up: Saturday, July 24, otherwise known as National Enjoy Your Deck Day. We’re not exactly sure if there’s a card for this day, but maybe you can celebrate by spraying off your deck’s dead bugs and having the aforementioned ribs. Most likely, the latter was already part of your weekend plans anyway.

In case you are looking for other ways to celebrate, Fiberon Deckinghas compiled a few companies to help out. One is Johnsonville sausage. Nothing says deck like encased meats, right?

If you don’t have a decent deck, but a love of free meats, check out the National Enjoy Your Deck Day website.   There’s a map with local parties marked. That’s right; actual people willing to share their decks with strangers. There’s also tips on maintaining your deck, as well as the chance to win a dream deck, which includes $4,000 for parts, labor, and party supplies.

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on July 20, 2010 at 10:48 am
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Green Home Dream Home

Tonight at 8 pm EST,  the winner of the HGTV Green Home Giveaway will be revealed in a special show. 

I  wonder how that really works.  They show the winner all surprised at the door, but I don’t think it’s live.  It can’t be.  What if you’re not home when they come to call? 

 So, I guess if I haven’t heard by now, I didn’t win.  Darn.  I really wanted this one . . .near the ocean, decor in my favorite colors,  just the right size for my family. . . I entered every day.  Really.  It’s the first time I’ve ever been sucked into a contest like this. 

If, by any chance, you haven’t seen this lovely home yet,  check out this 90-second tour. 

And here are a few of my favorite features.

I’ve always loved white kitchens (as if it would ever look this pristine and uncluttered once I got my hands on it), and the backsplash glass tile is just my style, as is the red countertop. In fact, the counter top in my house right  now is a deep wine-ish red, but it’s laminate, not Ceaserstone.   And did you notice the piece of art hanging in the stairway?  LOVE IT! 

They call this the Tower Room, and if I had that window seat, I’d get all snuggled up in there, and everything else in my life would go right to hell.  OK then, maybe it’s best I didn’t win. 

My girls would love these bunk beds.  The decor is a little more sophisticated then they are, but they would grow into it. 

The point is that I live in New  England and I love all the local products and styling in this house. 

I want it. I’m going now to throw a little tantrum and sulk. 

by Lisa Oram

Written by editor on June 28, 2010 at 10:19 am
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Calling All Tools!

No doubt, you know a few tools. Your boss, the guy that served your McMuffin this morning, and even the mailman are just a few who might qualify.

Some tools know how to cash in. Just check any VH1 reality show!  However, you can do the same without summoning your inner jerk. Gladiator® GarageWorks and Family Handyman Magazine just announced their new “Sometimes It’s Good to Be a Tool” sweepstakes. 

“Whether being put to use on projects or resting comfortably in a tool chest, life is good when you’re a tool in a Gladiator® GarageWorks garage,” said Lou Ann Schafer, senior marketing manager for Gladiator® GarageWorks.

Get it? So really you don’t have to be a good tool. You just need to want to own a good tool.

To enter the contest, pick up a copy of The Family Handymanmagazine. The entry form is inside. One grand-prize winner will receive a 6-foot Modular Workbench, a Premier Modular GearBox, a Premier Series 41-inch Roll-Away, a Premier Series 41-inch Tool Chest, and one Gladiator®GarageWorks Stool. Second and third place prizes also will be awarded, but haven’t been announced.

Sadly, no other information is available online, so it seems like they really want only Family Handyman readers to reap the prize benefits. Go out and get your copy today. The contest ends on September 30, 2010.

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on June 3, 2010 at 1:41 pm
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CSN Seeks Bad Bathrooms

Sprucing up the bathroom is a chore we all avoid. Now that sloth could score you a $10,000 makeover.

CSN Stores just announced the Green and Clean Bathroom Bailout.

The promotion will award the makeover grand prize to the person with the crappiest bathroom (no pun intended). Instead of hair in the sink and ratty towels, the retailer is looking for a bathroom that wastes a ton of energy. When the winner receives the makeover, their new water closet will be filled with eco-friendly goodies, including a Danze toilet, Kaldewei tub, Indocraft vanity, Progress and Kichler Lighting, Shaw Flooring, and Gatco accessories.

The contest is a joint effort with Do Your Part, an online portal that offers up a ton of ways to go green. Do Your Part’s Terri Bennett and CSN staffers will choose one submission from each state — 50 funky finalists. Those contestants will then be asked to submit a picture, which will be posted on CSN’s Facebook page. Fan votes will determine the winner, as well as second- and third-prize recipients.

To enter the contest, log onto the Green and Clean website. Then, just describe why you think you need the makeover. Submissions will be accepted through July 30, 2010.

If you don’t win the contest, check out Terri’s Top 10 Eco-Picks on the contest page. Her list of 10 eco-friendly bathroom products could make your bathroom a little greener — and probably a little nicer, too.

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on May 21, 2010 at 9:37 am
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