Employees support Habitat for Humanity

Great River Energy employees supported the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity organization for five days by helping refurbish a home in Blaine, Minnesota. 

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is committed to building the quality of life, health and economic prosperity of the seven-county metro region by producing, preserving and advocating for affordable homeownership. 

Dave Kempf, Great River Energy’s senior principal transmission planning engineer, and a support team organized the event on behalf of Great River Energy’s transmission division. He said approximately 40 employees took part in this year’s volunteer effort.

The home was built by Habitat for Humanity seven years ago and the initial family has moved out. Habitat for Humanity bought the house back and is renovating it for a new family. 

Employees performed a number of tasks, including landscaping, installing flooring and trim, painting and replacing waterproofing fiberglass in the foundation. 

Great River Energy encourages employees to take time to give back to the community and offers eligible employees paid volunteer hours per year to put toward causes that personally interest them.

Transmission employees have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since 2010, with a break during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers and our employees have always been happy to help,” Kempf said. “Organizers have told us they appreciate our work ethic and that our employees are willing to do anything they ask, including tasks that aren’t always the most fun.”