At Rachuba, we’re committed to giving back in ways that make the biggest impacts within the communities we serve. This legacy of philanthropy was handed down through the generations, beginning with our grandfather, Ralph DeChiario, and father and founder of Rachuba, Larry Rachuba.
In continuing our family’s tradition of giving, The Rachuba Family Foundation was created to support a number of local and national non-profit organizations. These include the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society , Zaching Against Cancer , Helping Up Mission , The Shrine of St. Anthony, and Our Lady of Hope, and many others. The foundation’s funding comes solely from our money generated from our family’s properties without outside fundraising or solicitation of funds.
Over $20,000 in donations were made to various organizations in 2019. However, this year we have been able to increase our donation amount by 500%. As of November 2020, The Rachuba Family Foundation has made $99,150 in donations. We anticipate well over $100,000 in donations to be made by year’s end.
Our Family Foundation looks forward to contributing significantly throughout the year in 2021. Follow our corporate blog or Rachuba on Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn to stay up to date and learn more about how we give back all year long.
In the true spirit of giving, The Rachuba Family Foundation has adopted a family this holiday season through Springboard Community Services , a local Maryland nonprofit offering crisis intervention, counseling, case management, and psychiatric support to individuals and families.
Our team collected lots of gifts for a family who were victims of domestic violence. Gifts included clothing for the entire family as well as educational toys, games, books, coloring items, LOL dolls, and bedding for the kids. American Express and Target gift cards, as well as others, were also added to the donation.
If you’re looking to get involved, there are a number of ways to help Springboard Community services ranging from volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and fundraising events.
The Rachuba Family Foundation remains committed to our community and the organizations that help make them a better place to live for all. Click here to learn more about The Rachuba Family Foundation and how we give back throughout the year.
Our Rachuba team is feeling GROOVY! This week we were awarded MMHA's Bronze Star Award for both Prospect Hall Apartments & Piney Ridge Apartments - making them some of the most fab communities to live at in Maryland. Our 70's-Themed Flash Mob Video also won our team a pizza party and our snazzy threads got us a prize in the photo booth contest!
Holiday Events in Frederick
This holiday season is different for sure, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting in a little holiday cheer in a safe(r) way. There’s a lot going on around Frederick and we’ve rounded up our top events this month.
Santa at FSK Mall
Daily Through December 24 |11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Francis Scott Key Mall | 5500 Buckeystown Pike
Santa is back at FSK Mall this year but in a socially-distanced way. Make a reservation to visit Santa and give him your wish list. To reserve your spot visit https://bit.ly/36ZXlQx .
Downtown Frederick Holiday Candy Trail
December 11 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Downtown Frederick
Take a stroll along the streets of Downtown Frederick and get some holiday treats while you support local businesses. Do some shopping and stop into the shops listed on signs throughout downtown to sweeten up your holiday shopping.
Santa & Stockings
December 12 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Market Square at Frederick | 2480 Osprey Way
Head to the Market Square at Frederick and pick up a free Santa stocking filled with treats. Stockings will be given to the first 200 children who stop by.
Museums by Candlelight
December 12 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Monocacy National Battlefield | 4460 Baker Valley Road
Tour Frederick’s historical sites by candlelight and see the gorgeous decorations the park staff has set up. The Thomas House (stop #4 along the route) will be giving out holiday craft kits for kids. Park at 4460 Baker Valley Road to start the tour.
Socially Distanced Drive-In Cabaret
December 12 & 13 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM or 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Other Voices, Inc. | 244 S. Jefferson Street
If you’re missing the theatre this is your event! Other Voices, Inc. hosts an outdoor drive-up holiday-themed cabaret to give you a safe option to view live theatre. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/374rMp3 .
Santa Visits Prospect Hall Apartments
December 16 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Prospect Hall Apartments | Frederick, MD
Head outside to wave to Santa as he rides around our neighborhood on a fire truck. Prospect Hall elves will be giving out treats as we travel spreading holiday cheer!
Howliday Jamboree
December 18 | 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Camp Bow Wow | 1341 Hughes Ford Road
Give your pup special holiday treatment at Camp Bow Wow with treats, holiday photos, and s special holiday obstacle course! Register your pup at campbowwow.com.
Be Happy Hour Yoga Donation Class
December 25 | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Yogamour Yoga | 1 Wormans Mill Court
The holiday season can be stressful, so take an hour to wind down and relax with Yogamour. Join them in the outdoor yoga tent or virtually online for an hour-long class focusing on breathing, flexibility, and strength. Following the class socialize safely (virtually or in the tent) by bringing your own snack or drink for holiday happy hour. This is a donation-only class benefitting local charitable work. Register online by visiting https://bit.ly/2JREgaq
Design Tips to Make Your Apartment Cozy For Fall
As the air begins to become crisp and leaves start to drop, people start to cozy up inside for Fall. With the days getting shorter, it would be nice to have a warm and festive place to come home to. It does not have to be time-consuming or complicated to create the perfect little fall corner. Whether it is simple lights or a new blanket on your couch, here are some simple ways to create your home the comfiest and most festive it has been yet.
Pumpkin it Up
Since pumpkins are the token plant of fall, try adding a few small pumpkins or gourds around the house. They can make for beautiful centerpieces on a dining table or a festive decoration on a coffee table. You can just set them on the table, put them in a wooden bowl, or in a glass vase. Another plus is that they last for a long time!
Add a Wreath
Wreaths are not just a decoration for the winter season now! You can buy one or you can DIY your own . You can use pinecones, sticks from outside, burlap, faux leaves, and anything else you think you would look good. String it with some ribbon and put it on your door, window, or shelf to add a touch of Fall design.
Break out the Blankets and Rugs
With the Fall bringing the chilly weather, more blankets and rugs are needed to keep your home warm. While a blanket has a technical purpose, a cozy knit blanket also is a beautiful touch when draped over a couch. You could also add one to the end of a bed, and on the porch to make sure the coziness travels all around the house. You can buy one or DIY a cable knit throw that does not require knitting. Rugs may not seem like they do much, but by adding mats to your bathroom and kitchen, they can keep your feet from getting cold!
Bring the Outside in
Although you may not be going outside as much, that does not mean you have to be a stranger to it. Bring some of the outside in by collecting small twigs and pinecones again. Paint some of them gold or silver for a dash of sparkle and put them in a glass container. You could also collect fall leaves, place them on a bulletin board or poster and cover it with a Mod Podge to have a beautiful wall decoration.
Lighting and Candles
Some of the best scents happen in the fall. Whether it is apple cinnamon or pumpkin spice, these scents can make your home smell great. If you are using a candle though, be sure to follow all safety precautions and never leave it unattended. Keep it away from any hanging cloth and always have a fire extinguisher nearby. A safer alternative may be to use a flameless, battery-operated candle . For lighting use lamps or add twinkly lights around any room (inside and outside). Getting rid of the harsh overhead light is a simple touch that will make your home feel as cozy as can be.
Typically apartments are priced by square footage, so figuring out what’s right for you will help your budget. Read on to pick the perfect apartment!
Figure Out What You Need Space For
One of the first things you’ll need to figure out is what you want to get out of your space. Ask yourself a few questions, like are you going to be living alone or with someone? Do you plan on living with someone else in the future?
If you’re going to be living by yourself and not have a lot of guests over, you should be okay with just one bedroom. An apartment of about 1,000 square feet or less is likely an ideal size to help you save money.
If you have pets, live with one or more people, or frequently have overnight guests, a two or three-bedroom apartment will be your best choice. Apartments about 1,100-1,200 square feet or more often provide enough space for multiple people. Consider that if you’re working from home a larger two or three-bedroom apartment is likely your best bet so one room can be designated as a workspace.
Lastly, how much stuff do you have? You're going to need room for a lot of it unless you want to rent a storage unit each month or declutter and reduce the number of items you have.
How to Measure Square Footage
It's important to know the square footage of your apartment because this will help give you an idea of how big of an apartment you'll need. A square foot is a square that measures twelve inches on each side. For reference, most of the tiles in your kitchen are probably about one square foot.
There are actually a few different ways to measure an apartment for square footage as well. Some of the measurements only account for how much livable space is in the apartment, like the living room, bedroom, and bathroom. If the square footage total includes non-livable space, this will include the storage, closets, and possibly garage. Ask your potential landlord or management company if they have calculations for both total and livable space so you can plan your storage solutions, furniture, and layouts accordingly before moving in.
Consider the Layout Too
While the square footage is important, you should also factor in the layout of the apartment. While a 1,200-square foot apartment might be okay for you, if the layout doesn't work, you may feel cramped. If you are going to get a one-bedroom or studio apartment, try and find one that has an open concept so it feels bigger. If you're going to be sharing an apartment, you might want to find a floor plan that is split, so that your bedrooms aren't right next to each other.
Map it Out
If you've seen the layout and the square footage, you can start mapping it out to see if it's the right size for you. You should start by measuring all your furniture and then writing down the measurements. Then, sketch out the dimensions of each room and start playing around with arranging your furniture in there.
Ask to Tour It
Tour the floorplan of the apartments you're most interested in. Although the exact apartment you’ll be renting may not be available to tour, you can often tour a model apartment or another vacant apartment of the same or similar layout. Most apartment communities showcase their floorplans online or will offer to send you a digital version by email. This is a great tool to reference and compare various layouts.
Consider Your Budget
You're going to be paying for your entire apartment, so don't apply for a two-bedroom apartment if you're only going to use one of the bedrooms. The cost of your utilities will also depend in part on the size of your apartment. Be sure to consider what you can afford for utilities each month before committing to a larger apartment.
Learn More About How Much Space You Need for Your Apartment
We know that searching for apartments can be overwhelming and exhausting, but that's why we're here to help you. Our team of expert leasing consultants can help you find the perfect size apartment for your lifestyle.
If you're interested in touring or viewing our apartments, make sure that you contact us today to schedule an appointment !
