Building resiliency and generating energy

The Carter Work Project has helped to change lives around the world for 40 years thanks to the generous financial and volunteer support of sponsors like GAF, a Standard Industries company and the largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America.

During nearly 13 years of partnership, GAF has donated more than 3,800 roofing systems to Habitat affiliates across the U.S., impacting more than 15,500 individuals. The company continues to make a meaningful impact for affordable housing by donating products and volunteer time to support the 2024 Carter Work Project. GAF’s contribution includes 40 roofing systems featuring GAF Energy’s Timberline Solar™ Energy Shingle, the world’s first solar shingle that can be nailed down, as well as 40 solar energy systems.

“The solar-powered roofing system will make these homes more resilient, generate energy and be a long-term benefit to Habitat homeowners by helping to offset their energy costs,” Jeff says.

Bringing people together

More than 50 GAF employees will join Jeff at The Heights, including team members from the company’s Minneapolis-area shingle manufacturing plant, which has a longstanding relationship with Twin Cities Habitat.

Leslie Sather, a senior coordinator at the plant, is looking forward to volunteering. She will provide event information and support for volunteers and says she’s bringing along her personal “power tool” — her smile — to help guide them on the build site.

“One of my favorite things to do at GAF in my role is our community outreach efforts working with business partners, local schools and so forth,” Leslie says. “I’m really proud to be part of GAF and to be part of the Carter Work Project.”

Jeff is thrilled to work alongside GAF teammates like Leslie to build homes at The Heights, but he holds a special place in his heart for the two dedicated Habitat volunteers for whom the event is named — former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the late Rosalynn Carter.

Jeff remembers speaking with President Carter nearly two decades ago and listening to his infectious excitement for an upcoming Carter Work Project event. “I feel so blessed to have been able to sit right next to this incredible individual that at the core of everything he stands for in his life is about bringing people together and doing something that is bigger than any one of us,” Jeff says.

“Making sure that the communities where we work and live benefit from their association with Andersen Corporation is one of our core tenets. And here in the Twin Cities, this Carter Work Project is a wonderful example of that,” says Brandon, Andersen Corporation’s senior vice president of research, development and innovation.

Teamwork helps make homeownership dreams come true

Andersen Corporation has made advancing affordable housing a priority for nearly three decades. The company has donated more than US$9 million in funding and donated product to the Habitat network, and it has a longstanding relationship with Twin Cities Habitat where its employees volunteer alongside Habitat homeowners.

This year, Andersen Corporation is a US$1 million sponsor of the event and is donating all the windows for homes being built during Carter Work Project, a transformative event that has helped make a difference in the lives of families for 40 years.

Building hope and communities

Jake Dombrovski, a supervisor on Andersen Corporation’s inside sales team, has volunteered with Habitat for nearly 15 years, and he’ll be helping to build homes at The Heights. “For me, there’s a lot of joy in being able to establish deeper relationships with your teammates that are participating,” he says.

Jake and Brandon will join forces with other volunteers and homeowners to help build 30 new Habitat homes during the Carter Work Project week. Jake already knows the number one item on his packing list. “I’ve been to enough Habitat sites where I bring my own tool belt, and I might bring it. So I’m that nerd that will do that,” he says with a smile. “I’m just really looking forward to it.”