The Construction Partnership and its members have been part of the community for several years. We believe that by supporting the community in different ways we can help make a difference in the quality of life for our neighbors. Here are some examples of our community involvement.

Rochester's Century High School sign

I was asked in the spring of this year if I knew of anyone who might volunteer their time to construct 2 masonry piers for a Century High School stone sign that was donated by the graduating class of 2000. I asked Don De Keyrel, of Construction Partnership, if he knew of anyone. He gave me Mark Caron's name and phone number. Mark was very willing to donate his time to lay the 2 block piers that would support the sign.

Alvin E. Benike, Inc. donated the block for the piers and the sign was set in place by Rich Bakken and his crew.

Seasons Hospice Play Set

Thanks to the generosity of Drs. Jonathan and Mary Evans and Construction Partnership, Seasons Hospice families now have a beautiful spot for children to spend some play time. When Dr. Jonathan Evans, Medical Director of Seasons Hospice, accepted a position in
Virginia, he and his wife decided they wanted to donate their children's Rainbow play set to the Hospice House. This presented a dilemma for the staff of Seasons, who were anxious to have this play set available for the children and grandchildren of their hospice families. The play set, measuring 20 feet by 10 feet, needed expert help to get to its new home. That is where the expertise of Construction Partnership was needed. Pam Schaid, Administrator of Season Hospice, called Don De Keyrel at CPI asking for his help or advice to relocate the play set. Don indicated that this was just the kind of project that CPI had the interest and willingness to offer as a service to community organizations.

After coordination efforts through CPI, the date to move the play set was set. The crew assembled at Dr. Evans' home to begin the task. The play set was partially disassembled, carried to the flat bed in large pieces and began the journey to Seasons Hospice. Within an hour, the play set was reassembled in its new location, set in the shade with a view of the pond. A picnic table, also donated by the Evans family, completed the play area. The positive attitude and willingness of the volunteers to make this endeavor a success overcame the heat and humidity of the day.

Seasons Hospice provides home hospice care and residential hospice services to persons living with terminal illness. Seasons serves six counties in southeastern Minnesota. The focus of hospice is comfort of quality of life at the end of life when a traditional medical approach is no longer appropriate or desired. Hospice affirms and cherishes life, helping each person live each day to the fullest extent possible. The staff at Seasons Hospice expresses their gratitude to CPI for helping to bring joy into the lives of their patients at the Hospice House by helping to create a pleasant spot for families to spend time together.

-Pam Schaid

Stewartville High School Handicap Accessible Restroom

During the summer of 2000, Stewartville High School received a new handicap accessible restroom courtesy of Construction Partnership, union construction contractors, and local unions.

When the Stewartville Special Education courses moved into a new room at the high school, new handicap accessible restroom facilities were needed.

As in the past, Construction Partnership believes in giving back to the community that we serve. Therefore CPI volunteered to handle the construction and installation of the restroom facilities.

With the donations of materials and labor from Rochester contractors and unions, the project was completed with no cost to the school district. This allowed the Stewartville Special Education program to purchase a much-needed stacked washer and dryer and a refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser in the door in order to better serve the needs of the students.

The Heat Goes On Program

The Heat Goes On program was developed because there was a need for the elderly, low income and families with special needs to have clean and safe operating furnaces. Since 1990, the Construction Partnership professional union servicemen have volunteered to check and clean hundreds of furnaces in the homes of these neighbors.

The Cub Scout Adventure Camp

The Construction Partnership has always been concerned about the youth in our communities and realizes that kids need to grow up in a positive environment. For that reason we have financially supported the construction of the Cub Scout Adventure Camp enabling all youth in this area to enjoy and socialize in positive scouting activities.

Habitat For Humanity

If there is a Habitat Home being built or refurbished the Construction Partnership and the local union trades pitch in and lend a hand. We feel that by supporting those in need you'll help those who want to help themselves -- which helps grow a healthy community.

Preserving the Historical Stoppel Farmhouse

Looking back at our past has always been a way of learning. The Olmsted Historical Society holds much of the areas historical information including actual exhibits such as the George Stoppel Farmhouse. The Construction Partnership has agreed to help preserve this building by replacing a failing roof which will enable visitors to experience what the lifestyle was a hundred years ago.

Women's Open

The Construction Partnership, along with KTTC, established the American Cancer Society's Women's Open Golf Tournament in a effort to raise funds for breast cancer education and research. We believe that our sponsorship has helped many women learn more about breast cancer and become more aware of the warnings signs and steps they can take to protect themselves. The American Cancer Society's Women's Open Golf Tournament continue as an annual event in Rochester.

Honkers

The Rochester Honkers have helped the Northwoods League become one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the nation. Volunteers from local union construction trades and union contractors helped the Honkers home get a facelift with the addition of partially enclosed luxury box seats, an additional utility press box, as well as a new concession stand.

Skate Park at Graham Arena

Construction Partnership realizes that the teenage population in our community needs to have places in which to pursue their interests. For that reason, when local teenagers approached the Rochester Park and Recreation Department with the idea of building a skate park, and then raised the money to do so, local union contractors did the work at cost. The Skate Park at Graham Arena is a great place for skateboarders and in-line skaters to practice their skills and make friends who have similar interests.

Ronald McDonald House

In 1993, the union construction industry was approached by Linda Bono, the Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House. The mission was a new house for Rochester. With a $50,000 donation from the Rochester Labor Temple, donated materials from A. E. Benike Construction, volunteer labor from union craftsperson, and a community fund drive, the new Rochester Ronald McDonald House was occupied in 1995. Due to the growing need, expansion is under consideration. As partners, we'll be there.