Harris Introduces Company-wide Volunteer Program, Recaps Year

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) – Harris, a leading national mechanical contractor, is pleased to share highlights from the inaugural year of its company-wide volunteer program, Harris Helping Hands.

Since the program’s launch in January 2022, Harris employees have donated to 47 non-profits across the country. Harris Helping Hands is already going strong in 2023 but here’s how the program got its start and a recap of its impact in 2022.

Harris is known for creating a people-centered culture where employee voices are heard. That’s what helped earn them a Top Workplaces USA award in 2023. So, when team members at offices across the country and job sites nationwide voiced interest in a Harris-wide community engagement opportunity, leadership listened. While individuals and various offices were independently engaged in community causes (and continue those efforts), employees felt having combined company-wide giving opportunities as well could heighten their impact.

With that, Harris created Harris Helping Hands, a platform for individual, team and regional support of initiatives that not only align with Harris’ vision and values but also support the communities around them. The program is organized into four pillars – wellness, environment, education and shelter. Each covers three months. The program kicked off in Q1 2022 with a nationwide food drive. Each Harris location received a donation box for items while organizers partnered with 15 non-profits for delivery at the end of the drive. Remote team members or those unable to donate onsite were connected with Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks.

The program’s Q2 environment initiative supported a tree drive. Harris partnered with One Tree Planted, a non-profit 501C3 focused on global reforestation and making it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Every dollar donated plants one tree. Harris donated 2,758 trees to be planted throughout the U.S. by the non-profit’s volunteers. Harris employees also planted trees on their own, picked up trash and became more mindful of recycling.

Education was the focus in Q3 and Harris held a nationwide school supply drive. The company kicked off the initiative by sending 30 backpacks to each of its 15 locations. Employees collected a variety of supplies including writing utensils, art supplies and additional backpacks. Fifteen nonprofits across the country benefited from the joint effort.

For its final pillar, shelter, Harris held a national coat and toy drive at its offices and participating job sites. Each region chose which drive they were interested in participating in. By quarter end, Harris had donated toys to 12 non-profits and clothing items to six non-profits. Mindful of remote work and access, organizers of Harris Helping Hands ensure there is always a virtual donation or community support option.

“We’re thrilled to provide an opportunity for our team members to give back,” says Angela Mork, director, Marketing + Communications, Harris. “It has been a joy to watch the community partnerships we’re garnering and the efforts of our employees.” Mork’s team manages each quarter’s pillar, which in 2023 are wellness, service, education and shelter.

A leader in the mechanical contracting space, Harris specializes in design and engineering, construction, building automation, manufacturing, service, conveyors and end-to-end building systems for projects of all sizes, scope and complexity across the country. Projects include stadiums, K12 schools and universities, hospitals and medical centers, data centers, casinos, as well as industrial, commercial and manufacturing facilities.

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CONTACT:
Gina Swanson
[email protected]
612.298.2631