The Beat Goes On: KA Has Heart
Volunteer Program Brings Variety and Community Service to the Work Week
Dog walking, food service, yard work and wearing hairnets are not typical parts of a Kraus-Anderson employee’s workday. But through the KA Has Heart volunteer program, employees can add community service to their experience.
KA Has Heart, an employee volunteer program supported by Kraus-Anderson, recently completed its inaugural year. Approximately 155 employees contributed 644 hours of community service at selected Twin Cities nonprofit organizations, including Feed My Starving Children, American Cancer Society Hope Lodge and People Serving People.
The program gives employees opportunities to perform paid volunteer service for up to eight hours each year during regular work hours, alongside colleagues.
The program builds on Kraus-Anderson’s longstanding commitment to community involvement and employee service. Learn more about the KA Has Heart volunteer program.
How Did the KA Has Heart Volunteer Program Begin?
The inspiration for the program came in part from Kraus-Anderson’s longstanding commitment to Hearts & Hammers, a volunteer effort that brings crews together to provide painting, repairs and maintenance for homeowners in need.
Feedback from that event showed that employees were interested in expanding volunteer opportunities and working with more charitable partners.
In 2014, the Kraus-Anderson Corporate Initiatives Committee, made up of employee representatives from across the company, decided to channel that community spirit into a formal volunteer program.
“Once we started comparing notes with our other Kraus-Anderson offices, we realized there was a widespread opportunity,” said Rose Manthe, a member of the Corporate Initiatives Committee. “And our wonderful senior management agreed to support it.”
Elements of the program were adapted from an existing volunteer program at KA Insurance, which also uses the KA Has Heart brand for employee philanthropic events.
Learn more about Kraus-Anderson’s partnership with Hearts & Hammers and the KA Has Heart spotlight on Hearts & Hammers.
Who Organizes the KA Has Heart Volunteer Program?
The Corporate Initiatives Committee oversees the program. At the time, the committee included Rose Manthe and MaryAnne London of KA Companies; Jody Foster of KA Mortgage; Tammy Lofthus of KA Insurance; Kari Aufrere, Diane Duguay, Emily Hals Laux and Leslie Greves of KA Construction; and Mary Doughman of KA Realty.
“Kari Aufrere creates the schedule of events and presents informational seminars at each location, oversees participation, and does a great job of it,” MaryAnne London said.
The program is also designed to reflect employee input. All Kraus-Anderson employees are invited to nominate a charity for inclusion. Nominations are researched to confirm they fit program guidelines, reviewed by the Corporate Initiatives Committee and approved by senior leadership.
How Does Employee Volunteering Benefit the Workplace and Community?
The program has become a popular offering that combines community service, team building and wellness.
“It’s also a great way for us to get to know our coworkers outside our own offices and outside the regular work environment,” said Jody Foster.
“Responses have been nothing but positive,” said Kari Aufrere, program coordinator. “People love this program because it gives opportunities to those who cannot volunteer outside the office due to other commitments and who cannot find the time.”
Which Nonprofits Participated in the 2016 Volunteer Program?
The 2016 program expanded to include volunteer opportunities with Feed My Starving Children, Open Arms of Minnesota, Fraser, People Serving People, American Heart Association, House of Charity, Cornerstone, Animal Humane Society, American Red Cross and Toys for Tots.
In addition, a stuffed-animal drive was planned for donation to a local fire department.
In this article, Kraus-Anderson explored the KA Has Heart volunteer program, including its inaugural year of employee service, charitable partnerships, committee leadership, paid volunteer time and the expansion of volunteer opportunities. Learn more about employee volunteering in the community, the KA Has Heart partnership with Feed My Starving Children and community involvement.
CATEGORY: Community Involvement