The February Volunteer of the Month is Cliff Miatech! Cliff has been a Hammer volunteer since 2017. He first heard about Hammer from his brother, Joey, who is also a volunteer. Based on Joey’s recommendation, he thought we would be a good volunteer fit. Cliff was interested in becoming a...
By Tim Eshelman, Director of Environmental Services As Hammer’s Director of Environmental Services for many years, a lot has changed since I started in 1990. As I have grown older (and wiser!) so have the individuals served and supported by Hammer – and their Hammer homes. Keeping our 36...
By Hannah Barnes, Communication Specialist There are many dynamic duos in the world: Batman and Robin, Bert and Ernie, peanut butter and jelly, and at Hammer’s Lancaster home, it’s Chris and Vance. Chris and Vance were instantly friends when they met. The duo bonded over their love of video games...
Congratulations to our January Volunteer of the Month, Andy Hemmer! Andy discovered Hammer one year ago, after searching for volunteer opportunities on Google. He wanted to find a way to help out in the community and grow personally. The opportunity that Hammer presented to bond with someone...
By Hannah Barnes, Communication Specialist As Jamey Price hung up her Christmas wreath this year, she was taken on a trip down memory lane. The wreath, which was made by the individuals at the Hammer School in the early 1970s, was her mother’s, prior to her passing in 2015. Jamey’s mother, Marge,...
Jeanne celebrated 45 years of service at Opportunity Partners last week! She was honored during a pin ceremony in front of her friends, co-workers, and staff. A proud employee, Jeanne said she is grateful for her time at Opportunity Partners. She said the time has flown by, and it doesn’t feel...
By Hannah Barnes, Communication Specialist George Emerson has been involved with sports at the University of Minnesota since he was a teenager. He has ushered several games and still goes to many sporting events today. He even has season tickets to the Gopher men’s hockey games. In addition to...
By Emily Lavalier, Direct Support Professional This past summer, Gina, who lives in one of Hammer’s group homes, had the chance to go see Mamma Mia at the Ordway in St. Paul. Gina is a huge Mamma Mia fan and knows all of the songs. She has the movie and it is one of her favorites to watch...
The Volunteer of the Month for November is Bethany Collins! Bethany began as a pet therapy volunteer with Hammer in 2008, and has been volunteering ever since! Bethany was looking for a place to volunteer with her wonderful new puppy, Chase. He is a miniature Australian shepherd who is very smart...
Hammer’s Volunteer of the Month for October is Andy Bleck! Andy first heard about Hammer in 2012, through one of the individuals we support who worked at the Byerly’s in Minnetonka. This individual has a magnetic and funny personality, and would talk a lot about the positive impact Hammer has had...
By Hannah Barnes, Communication Specialist Jacqi loves Boy George and his band, Culture Club. She has been a fan for many years and has attended his shows every time one of his tours stops in Minnesota. For one of the concerts, Jacqi even purchased a VIP experience and met him. Boy George and...
By Hannah Barnes, Communication Specialist Oral hygiene is a key part of living a healthy and happy lifestyle. Individuals living with developmental disabilities often have more frequent and more severe oral health problems than the general population. Most individuals served by Hammer are on...
Hammer’s Volunteer of the Month for September is Raga Rachuru! Raga is a Wayzata High School student who first heard about Hammer through the school’s Youth Extending Service volunteer organization. She has been volunteering in Hammer’s Advocacy department over the summer and has been a critical...
By Ellen Timmerman-Borer, Chief Development Officer So many years of Hammer (35 to be exact!) and I wonder why I am so fortunate to be in this place for so long, feeling satisfied and humbled with our work. Then, a poignant reminder of the why emerges in an unexpected place. At Reach for...
Hammer’s Volunteer of the Month for August is Alexandra DeMarais! Alex started as a Hammer volunteer in 2014 while she was still a student at the University of St. Thomas and the Vice President of the Health and Human Performance Club. She was looking to enhance her resume by volunteering with...
Our July Volunteer of the Month is Mike Stokes, who is also celebrating his one year volunteer Hammerversary! Mike joined us last year after finding Hammer volunteer opportunities on the JustServ app. Based on mutual interests, Mike was matched with Kevin, who lives at one of our homes. Mike’s...
TCF Bank has made people’s lives better through their financial support at Hammer since 1992. This year, they are the Premier Sponsor at our signature fundraising event, Reach for Ralph, which is on July 12. Because of TCF, individuals like Jim, who resides at our Ridgeview group home, live a full...
Hammer Residences and Geritom Medical began as partners in 2014. Geritom supports Hammer in the field and financially, working closely to provide pharmacy and medical supply services to the individuals we support. Each year Geritom purchases a sponsored table at Reach for Ralph and sponsors...
Hammer Residences has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune for the ninth consecutive year. A complete list of those selected is available at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2018 and will also be published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section...
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month, Abbie Hadley! Abbie discovered Hammer through the United Health Care company volunteer website. Having worked with individuals with special needs since elementary school, she knew she wanted to continue to be involved with our community when she moved...
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