Hearts & Hammers 2025: A Fresh Coat of Red and a Legacy of Service
By Trey Wodele, Hearts & Hammers Executive Director
This fall, the Lake Phalen neighborhood of St. Paul was filled with the sound of paintbrushes, hammers, and laughter as more than 40 Kraus-Anderson employees, family members, and friends joined Hearts & Hammers to restore the home of Frances Gandy.
Frances, a 60-year-old disabled homeowner, has deep roots in Minnesota. Originally from Texas, she made her way north by way of California. After first settling in North Minneapolis, she eventually moved to Saint Paul, renting an apartment in the Frogtown neighborhood. With the encouragement of her landlord, Frances applied for a first-time homebuyers mortgage, and 24 years ago, she purchased the two-story Lake Phalen home she still treasures today.
From Gray to Vibrant Red
Over the years, the home that had once been her pride became harder to maintain. That changed when Frances turned to the internet in search of help. “The best thing I ever did was start Googling – I found Hearts & Hammers and got a call a few days after I applied!”
On program day, Kraus-Anderson volunteers painted Frances’ house and garage, transforming the exterior from a weathered gray into a deep, vibrant red. They repaired siding, renewed the landscaping, and rebuilt her deck from the ground up – replacing an unsafe structure with a brand-new deck that Frances can use with confidence for years to come.
Frances shared, “I was truly blessed to be a part of this project. The group from Kraus-Anderson was so sweet and caring – they were just amazing. I thought they were going to fix up my deck, but they built me a whole new one.”
Kraus-Anderson’s Legacy with Hearts & Hammers
Kraus-Anderson’s partnership with Hearts & Hammers stretches back nearly three decades, to the very beginning of our Twin Cities chapter in 1997. When Hearts & Hammers founder Bob Walker moved from Texas to Minnesota to continue his architectural career, one of the first people he approached was Kraus-Anderson’s newly appointed CEO, Bruce Engelsma.
“A good friend of mine had been in the Peace Corps with Bob Walker. When Bob moved up here from Texas to work with HGA Architects, the two of them came to me with an idea: start a Hearts & Hammers chapter here in Minnesota,” recalled Engelsma. “From day one, the focus was on the construction industry lending its skills to homeowners in need. I was there at the beginning, helped navigate some of the early growing pains, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the countless people whose lives have been touched since.
“For more than 20 years, our work with Hearts & Hammers has been part of who we are at Kraus-Anderson,” Engelsma continued. “We’re not just fixing up houses – we’re building connections with each other and our neighbors, grounded in the belief that everyone deserves a safe, welcoming home. That spirit of service keeps growing because when people come together, even for one day, they can make a real and lasting difference in someone’s life.”
What began as a single day of service in 1997 has grown into a cherished tradition. For decades, Hearts & Hammers has been part of KA’s culture of service, even inspiring their broader corporate volunteer program, KA Has Heart.
More Than a Home Makeover
For Frances, the repairs mean more than a fresh coat of paint. They mean a safe new deck, renewed pride in her home, and the peace of mind that she can continue living independently in the place she’s called home for nearly a quarter century.
As she summed up so simply: “Mere words cannot convey how much I thank [Hearts & Hammers and Kraus-Anderson] for your service of commitment… truly a blessing!”
For Kraus-Anderson, the day was a chance to continue a tradition of volunteerism that has shaped their identity and strengthened entire neighborhoods across the Twin Cities. And for Hearts & Hammers, it was another reminder of the power of partnership. Together with dedicated sponsors and volunteers, we can transform not only houses, but also lives and communities.
CATEGORY: Construction