There are many things to be proud of when you work for a local firm like HEI. One of the most inspiring things is the love our employees have for our communities. Staff across each of our offices regularly give back to the communities we live in through volunteer events, community outreach, and more. Below are a few ways our staff gave back this year.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Every month, members of our team prepare meals for families visiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley. This long-standing tradition has been something our employees look forward to each month.
2023 Flood Fight
Flooding is no stranger to those living in the Red River Valley. When the waters rise and threaten homes and businesses, members of our team come together to help sandbag areas at risk of flooding. This last year, our team worked with Cass County to fill sandbags to protect the community.
Homeward Animal Shelter’s Paws Walk
HEI team members paws-itivley loved sponsoring the Homeward Animal Shelter’s 33rd Annual Paws Walk, which raises funds for the shelter’s adorable dogs who long for loving homes.
Click here to support the shelter.
Sun to Soup
Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC recently had a ribbon cutting at the Heavens Helpers Soup Cafe on the recent completion of their new “Sun to Soup” solar panel installation!
HEI’s Nic Cullen and his team from the Chamber’s 2022 leadership class aimed at turning solar power into more food for the hungry.
Read our full story here.
Cleaning Up our Communities
Keep Omaha Beautiful
Keep Omaha Beautiful is an environmental non-profit that aims to foster “environmental and community stewardship through education, service, and advocacy.” Members of our team participated in multiple service events to clean up trash in Oakbrook Park. During their most recent visit, the team was able to fill up 8 heaping trash bags from just their area of the park!
River Run Garbage Grab
HEI’s team participated in the 21st annual River Run Garbage Grab (R2G2) on Fourmile Creek in Des Moines, IA. The event is held by the Iowa Rivers Revival Service Squad program in partnership with ICON Water Trails, Athene, Polk County Iowa, Trout Unlimited, Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District, Des Moines Parks and Recreation, the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), and Polk County Conservation. 68 volunteers cleaned up 1,640 pounds of trash at one site alone! The find of the day was a 1980s-era refrigerator door!
River Keepers Clean Up
HEI team members volunteered this summer for River Keepers to help clean up the Red River in Moorhead, MN. They even found a shopping cart during their river cleanup!
Community Education
Sauk River Watershed District WaterFest
The Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD) holds several WaterFests throughout the year. These events educate fourth graders on various aspects of water. Our team often leads the kids through a game that helps them understand the water cycle and water quality.
Red River Water Festival
HEI was proud to sponsor and volunteer at the 2023 Red River Water Festival hosted by the River Keepers!
HEI team members taught elementary students about water resources through hands-on activities, including the H20 Olympics. More than 2,500 students attended the festival over 7 days!
Becker Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Tour
HEI’s Moriya Rufer helped out at Ike Fischer Farm in Frazee for 5th grade conservation days. This event was put on by Becker Soil and Water Conservation District.
Tinkers and Thinkers
HEI’s team volunteered at the West Fargo Events’ Tinkers and Thinkers STEM event in West Fargo, ND. They taught kids how to build Play-Doh tunnels and marshmallow towers and then handed out prizes to participants. We love getting the next generation interested in STEM!
