There has been a surge in the number of corporate, civic, and community groups volunteering for the city. These generous groups are planting flowers, cleaning up parks, setting up for community events, and removing invasive plants from our natural areas.
What’s happening in our community parallels state and national trends that one industry leader calls a “massive surge” in corporate volunteering fueled by a “growing desire among today’s employees for connection, learning, growth, and meaning through work.”
With nearly 680 acres of parks, a nature center, arboretum, and a full calendar of summer celebrations, there’s ample opportunities for groups to give back and make connections in the community, said Roseville Volunteer Manager Rachel Boggs.
“I encourage groups to wear matching t-shirts, snap photos, and show their enthusiasm,” Boggs said.
Roseville has had more than a dozen corporate groups sign up for volunteer events during the past 12 months. Boggs said many group volunteers express a desire to feel more familiar and connected to their community. Boggs said this is especially true as work-from-home arrangements can create more social isolation.
And as the old adage goes: many hands make light work. These larger groups can tackle bigger projects in just a couple of hours that would take a handful of staff much longer to complete. It’s also saving taxpayer dollars.
More than 70 employees from the chemical distributor Hawkins, Inc. helped clean up around their corporate headquarters at their volunteer event playfully themed “Trash Bash” in April.
“The Trash Bash is a fun way for our team to come together, make a real impact, and show that even small actions can add up to a cleaner, healthier community. We’re proud to support our employees in giving back and look forward to continuing these efforts,” said Michael Belenkiy, Marketing Manager at Hawkins Inc.
Students and staff from the University of Northwestern in Roseville picked up trash and other debris around Langton Lake Park this spring.
Choice Bank volunteers did some spring cleaning around Lake Bennett at Central Park this spring.
Employees at SVL Midwest HVAC Solutions volunteered their time to clean up the streets around their campus.
Employees of Johnson Controls donned gloves and safety vests and picked up trash and debris along Twin Lakes Parkway last June, which is the company’s month of community service.
One Nation Exteriors helped staff set up the Earth Day community event at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center.
Grant Johnson Realty Group helped clean up at Central Park. 
Many corporate groups also bring specialized skills that the city can put to good use.
Volunteers from Terra Firma Building and Remodeling removed a truckload of invasive buckthorn from Acorn Park last summer. Employees at the Roseville company chose to use their volunteer day to give back to the community and improve one of our city’s popular parks. And this crew, with their carpentry and building background, knew their way around a toolbox, finishing in record time!
Real estate agents and staff from Keller Williams helped with planting and landscaping at the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum.
“The Keller Williams staff just had a great eye for detail and design,” Boggs said. “They helped make our beautiful arboretum even more attractive to visitors.”
Boggs also complimented civic and scouting groups who have a longstanding relationship with the city and regularly volunteer.
Learn more about volunteering in Roseville.