Set into motion by Opus founder Gerry Rauenhorst, community stewardship has been a pillar of Opus’ history since the beginning, and the tradition continues today. Recently, two of our own participated in the annual Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity CEO Build Day.
CEO Build Day has become a philanthropic tradition at Opus. For more than five years, members of our leadership team have rolled up their sleeves to work onsite at a Habitat for Humanity home for CEO Build Day. So, instead of driving to the office on October 11, Dave Bangasser, president and CEO of Opus Design Build, L.L.C., and Ed Gschneidner, president of Opus AE Group, L.L.C., drove to a Habitat house in north Minneapolis, where they spent the day measuring, cutting and hanging sheetrock with leaders from other local companies.
“This event is a great opportunity to work side-by-side with others on a shared mission, while connecting personally with Habitat for Humanity organizers and the Habitat homebuyers who are working toward their sweat-equity requirements,” said Gschneidner. “It fulfills an acute need in our community in a very responsible way.”
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to achieve housing stability, helping hard-working families buy safe, decent and affordable homes. At this year’s event—the 15th annual—Habitat for Humanity leaders also recognized the Opus Foundation for a $30,000 grant from our Founder’s Day activities last April. Since 2010, the Opus Foundation has awarded nearly $250,000 in grants to the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
“CEO Build Day puts into action our corporate commitment of giving back to the community,” said Bangasser. “We met some of the people who have benefited from Habitat efforts, and they told us how it changed their lives. The project was in an area that has seen tremendous transformation in recent years, and the experience gave a real sense that every little bit of help can pay off.”
We support organizations like Habitat for Humanity because we believe building community is more than just building buildings. It’s about creating better places to live, work, play and raise families.
Leaders Don Tool Belts for Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Build
