3M Employees Celebrate Day of Volunteering with Habitat

September 21^st was the day 3M had designated as its Global Volunteer Day, a day where employees are encouraged to go out into their communities to do service work. For 25 current employees, and 4 alumni, that meant spending the day helping to build townhomes in a Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity development in Cottage Grove. Other groups of 3M employees were working at different Habitat projects, or at a wide assortment of community organizations throughout the Twin Cities.

One group was blowing in insulation into the attics of the units, helping to make sure the new homeowners would not be overwhelmed with their heating and cooling costs. Another group was installing laminate and vinyl flooring throughout a unit. A third group was painting and installing wood trim pieces. And the 3Mgives crew were installing kitchen cabinets.

About half of the volunteers on site had never worked on a Habitat house before. If past history is any indicator, almost all of the first time volunteers will be back. Repeatedly.

Despite being covered in sawdust, insulation dust and paint, the groups were smiling and having fun as they worked. They were also incredibly focused, accomplishing a lot, learning new skills, and determined to make a difference in the lives of the families who would be moving into the units.