Built With Heart
Devoted to causes as diverse as they are, Henkel employees across North America volunteer their time and talents to make their communities better places to live, work, and play. From California to Connecticut, and Canada to Puerto Rico, pitching in on a Habitat for Humanity home build is one of our employees’ favorite ways to give back.
In fact, for more than eight years, Henkel teams have been a steady source of hands-on help in Habitat’s mission to build hope, homes and community. Henkel backs their sweat equity with financial support and donations of equipment and products.
“At Henkel, we are united by our desire to help others — to be pioneers for the good of generations,” says Clayton Sinclair, Director of DEI & Corporate Citizenship. “We applaud the work they do at Habitat for Humanity to make home ownership possible for families who would not otherwise be able to afford it. And we are proud of the employees who roll up their sleeves to help.”
Here are just a few examples.
Lending a Helping Hand in Detroit
In September, a team of 30 Henkel volunteers from our Madison Heights, Michigan, facility — and colleagues visiting from across the region — helped the Oakland County Habitat chapter build a duplex to benefit two deserving families. The Henkel team worked closely with Habitat for Humanity staff to cut siding, mix cement, install stone trim and more. Beyond the build site, the team helped move and sort inventory and building supplies at Habitat’s ReStore facility, which sells donated building materials, appliances, and furniture to help fund home builds.
Angela Curley, Senior Manager of Corporate Citizenship and DEI at Henkel reflected on the community outreach: “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the local community. Claire Loria and all the staff at Habitat for Humanity made us feel welcome and true partners in lending a helping hand to improve the quality of life for deserving families.”
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of Habitat for Humanity. We know we can always count on Henkel employees to step up,” says Claire Loria, Marketing and Media Associate for the Oakland County Habitat chapter. “Our Habitat families are extremely grateful for the opportunity to own a home and thankful to everyone who helped make their dream of home ownership a reality. The Henkel team made a huge difference in the lives of these families!”
Caring in Cannon Falls
Another team that makes a habit of helping Habitat for Humanity comes from our Cannon Falls, Minnesota, adhesives production facility. They have participated in a number of builds over the years with the most recent one to help build a home for a healthcare worker and her young son.
But first, a major hurdle had to be overcome: finding a building lot in an extremely tight real estate market. To make the project possible (and pay it forward), a previous recipient of a Habitat-built home graciously offered to sell a portion of her property to create space for the new home. Henkel provided a significant financial donation to seal the deal.
“It’s very satisfying to work together as a team and ultimately provide a home for some very deserving people.” says Shelly Boldon, Human Resources Business Partner at the Cannon Falls plant. "And we gain so much personally as well. Habitat uses a primary builder to lead the work, so I’ve been able to learn new skills and be part of something I never thought I could."
Building Team Spirit
Along with the heart-warming feeling of helping others, volunteering can build camaraderie among team members.
"When our team was discussing our first face to face meeting after the pandemic, we were looking for an opportunity to connect on a more meaningful level," says Pete Alford, Global Key Account Manager, Adhesives Technology, Americas Medical, who participated in a Habitat build in San Antonio, Texas. "Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity provided us with the perfect format for that connection. We were able to build teamwork, camaraderie and a sense of pride from knowing that we were making life better for someone else. We all left with positive memories and experiences that help us today in our workplace and our communities."
As pioneers for the good of generations, Henkel employees will continue their legacy of helping Habitat for Humanity provide the keys to a new home — and a better life.
