Minneapolis

Monday, October 4, 2010 - World Habitat Day

In Minneapolis’ Hawthorne Neighborhood on a site that once was considered a ‘problem’ property, Habitat for Humanity volunteers joined Hawthorne residents and others in transforming a neighborhood as part of the start of World Habitat Day 2010.

Starting at 8 a.m., volunteers braved a brisk morning chill to continue the work of revitalizing the neighborhood by building two homes, rehabbing five foreclosed properties, and sprucing up five other properties with paint and some much needed TLC.

Volunteers came by the busload, in cars, vans and on bikes. The volunteers reflect a broad spectrum of the Twin Cities community ranging from skilled trades people to corporate executives and from nurses to shuttle drivers. No matter what skill set they bring, all the volunteers share in the spirit of transforming lives and neighborhoods by creating affordable housing.

View more photos from Minneapolis on our Flickr photoset.

Fairview’s Medical Team is Onsite

During the week, 60 to 70 volunteers from Fairview Health System are on hand to deal with the assorted blisters, splinters and other medical needs that may arise on the build site. Fairview volunteers include doctors, RN’s, LPN’s, and other medical health care professionals who want to give back. Operating out of a trailer donated by Hilltop Trailer, the Fairview team has a well-stocked array of medical supplies to make sure the week’s build goes on without a medical hitch. “We’re here to treat everything from blisters to slivers to headaches,” said Fairview volunteer Paula McNabb. “If needbe, we can serve as first responders in a medical emergency.”

Pedal Powered Habitat Help

The Minneapolis Habitat site is spread out over several blocks in the Hawthorne neighborhood. And in between the bus loads of volunteers and assorted construction vehicles are some eco-friendly, pedal powered transport to bring needed supplies to the home sites. Volunteers from Quality Bicycle Products and Nice Ride Minnesota are on hand to shuttle tools, nails and other needs from site to site. The bikes quietly glide between the sites, replacing some of the usual construction traffic noise, and bringing smiles to the faces of nearby residents.

“It’s exciting to see a community come together to volunteer and see everyone succeeding in reaching a goal,” Jeff Sunquist of Quality Bicycle Products commented. With a trailer full of tools attached to the back of his bike, Sunquist is showcasing a relatively new aspect of a Habitat build, according to fellow volunteer Jake Quarstad of Nice Ride Minnesota. “Throughout the week I think we are going to see a neighborhood in a new light and also see a new way of looking at transportation at a build site.”

Wells Fargo Adds Muscle to the Mix

Long known for its nationwide banking prowess, Wells Fargo has more than 85 volunteers on site this week helping to build a Habitat house. Drawn from the ranks of mortgage bankers, retail tellers, commercial bankers and others, Wells Fargo is providing the muscle of 15 volunteers a day. Like many of the volunteer groups on site, the Wells Fargo folks are also bringing a big dose of enthusiasm.

“This is my passion,” said Wells Fargo lead volunteer Jenni Wilken. “One of the nice things about Wells Fargo is that they are so committed to this and for Wells this is a big commitment and a big deal throughout our organization.” As a Platinum sponsor, Wells Fargo is giving back in many ways. In addition to the work this week and this fall, Wells Fargo volunteers will also partake in a spring build and have been active on a build site in Oakdale. “It’s great to see these houses and all these people come together,” Wilken said.

General Mills Nourishes the Community

Sporting bright yellow – think the color of a Cheerios box – volunteers from General Mills worked feverishly to paint, side and install windows on a Habitat house on Lyndale Avenue. It was hard to miss the brightly clad crew busily moving about the site. “General Mills has a history of participating in Habitat events and it is great to be part of it,” said volunteer Jetta Bastyr. “General Mills has been involved with Habitat for a while and it is a good way for us to give back. I think about 80 percent of our employees volunteer their time somewhere during the year.”

Eschewing her work as an IS professional at General Mills, Jetta wielded a paint brush rather than the computer keyboard she usually uses at work. “Hey, tomorrow I know I’m going to be really sore, but it will be a good sore,” she joked as she turned back to her painting.

Photos and content contributed by Paul Omodt, Padilla Speer Beardsley