Ameriprise volunteering in Minneapolis

Volunteers from Ameriprise Financial and the Basilica Regular Crew have been putting finishing touches on this green house in North Minneapolis (shown), which Site Supervisor Dave Madzo said should be done in a matter of weeks. Simultaneously, there was a crew building the skeletal first floor of the second house. 

Ameriprise employees have volunteered with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for more than 10 years. John Kelsalo, one of the volunteers on site this week, has built with Habitat nine out of the 10 years he’s been with the company. 

“Not only is it exciting to work with power tools and learn new things, it’s also great to give back to the community. Plus, Ameriprise pays their employees to be out here this week, which I think is a sign of a strong company,” he said. 

John said Ameriprise also offers incentives for employees to donate to charities by offering a matching donation to any that their employees make. Both groups are happy to be helping and in spite of facing their biggest challenge, the heat, they are optimistic and enthusiastic. 

Ameriprise volunteers have built or renovated a house each year since 2004, providing more than 42,000 volunteer hours over the past seven years. Ameriprise Financial Community Relations and Ameriprise Bank FSB have supported the builds with more than $500,000 in grants to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Nationally, Ameriprise has also provided significant volunteer hours and grant support to Habitat for Humanity International. 

The Basilica of St. Mary supports a Workcamp each year and has donated more than $600,000 to Twin Cities Habitat since 1996.