Opus Associates Build Communities by Giving Back on 5th Founder’s Day

Supporting our communities is just one more way Opus is different. Over the past five years, associates have collectively volunteered 6,300 hours as part of our annual Founder’s Day. On Friday, April 22, 53 years to the day that our founder, Gerry Rauenhorst, signed his first contract as Rauenhorst Construction, nearly 200 associates volunteered in their communities across the country.

Founder's Day is our way to honor our founder's legacy of giving back, to celebrate our history of community stewardship and demonstrate how we live our company values every day. ”Opus has always emphasized the importance of community outreach through many of its actions. Since its inception, Founder’s Day has not only provided opportunities for me to personally impact those in our community, but also an opportunity to get to know my colleagues better in a completely different work setting,” said Garrett Honeyman, senior project manager for Opus Design Build, L.L.C. in Denver. “Seeing a company put a priority on giving back directly through its giving, as well as encouraging and supporting its associates provides a quick glimpse into its culture.”

As we’ve celebrated a handful of Founder’s Days, associates have come to look forward to it throughout the year. “Founder’s Day is something I look forward to every year because it celebrates Opus’ rich history by giving back to our local communities,” said Megan Garner, associate project manager for Opus Design Build, L.L.C. in Kansas City. “It provides a great opportunity for team building through volunteerism.”

Kersten Leahy, associate project manager for Opus Design Build, L.L.C. in Chicago added, “It was nice to take a step back from the day to day of individual projects and get to really work towards one common goal as an office. In the normal work day we don’t always have the opportunity to interact with our colleagues like we do on Founder’s Day, and it’s a great way to build company comradery while making a difference in the community.”

Find out what associates did across the country and in your community:

Chicago & Milwaukee – Milwaukee associates joined the Chicago team at a Boys & Girls Club for Rebuilding Together. The group did a lot of work, including painting, reinforcing hand rails, replacing doors and general clean up.

Denver – Denver associates worked on siding and other projects at a Habitat for Humanity new build.

Des Moines – The Des Moines team volunteered in Ames with Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa.

Indianapolis – The Indy team partnered with Habitat for Humanity on a new build home. They performed roof decking, framing and soffit and fascia work.

Kansas City & St. Louis – Our two Missouri teams partnered with Habitat for Humanity, preparing the basement foundation at three houses by grading graving and installing insulation.

Minneapolis – Minneapolis had nine sites this year – five with Habitat for Humanity and four with Rebuilding Together.