Polaris Industries Inc. makes in-kind donation worth more than $113,000 to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) will kick off our 2016 build season this spring with two new Polaris RANGER® HIPPO™ Multipower Systems, donated by  Polaris Defense. These vehicles provide mobile electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and welding power to Twin Cities Habitat build and repair sites across the seven county metro area. With a typical manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $56,699 per unit, the estimated value of Polaris’ donation totals over $113,000!

“We’re thrilled to receive this exceptional donation from Polaris,” said Chad Bouley, Vice President of Homebuilding at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. “The Ranger HIPPO units will allow us to build more efficiently and effectively, especially when it’s important for us to start building a home before we have utilities up and running. We’re excited about the versatility they’ll provide on our job sites.”

In addition to the donation of the two vehicles, Polaris provided Habitat field staff special training on the features of each unit in early March. Because of the vehicle's capabilities, Habitat staff will be able to use them in a variety of ways to enhance building efficiency and save money. Rural and multi-unit sites will especially benefit from the HIPPO’s ability to act as an immediate power generator and an air compressor, eliminating the wait period for power to be connected to the site. Staff will also be able to perform light welding projects, plow and sweep new sites with custom vehicle attachments, and demo concrete to prep site for new construction – tasks that would originally need to be contracted to service providers outside the organization.

“The Ranger Hippo works as a multifunctional power plant all running off of the vehicle’s engine.  This capability will greatly benefit Habitat for Humanity by allowing personnel to pump water, use air tools, demo concrete, and a number of other building tasks that are typically more difficult in rural areas,"  said Steve Hersman, Polaris Defense.

Since 1996, Polaris has donated more than $215,000 in sponsorship funding and in-kind donations to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and serves as a generous supporter of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s annual Hard Hat & Black Tie Gala. The company also supports the mission of Habitat for Humanity on the ground, bringing employee volunteers to complete paint and repair projects for low-income homeowners in the metro area.