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Best Buy Volunteers Remodel Housing Facility for Veterans

When a new Best Buy store is built or remodeled, much of the task is overseen by employees in the company’s Deployment Resources department.

These employees recently took on a very different remodeling task: fixing up a new Salvation Army housing facility for veterans. (See photos.)

More than a dozen of the Best Buy volunteers spent Jan. 20 cleaning cupboards, washing walls and painting the rooms of one of two South Minneapolis apartment complexes The Salvation Army bought to house people in transition, most of whom are veterans.   

“‘Inspired’ would be the word I’d use to describe (our) feeling at the end of the day,” said Lori Adams, Best Buy Director of Deployment Resources. “While working in the apartments, there were many conversations about what this will mean to those who will have the opportunity to live there. It felt great to impact the lives of those in need in a positive way.”

Best Buy also gave $1,500 for the project. In addition, the Bloomington-based electronics retailer enlisted the help of one of its partners, Stillwater-based Thomas Grace Construction, which donated funds for painting supplies.

“We plan on staying connected and are looking forward to seeing the finished project,” Adams said.

The two complexes open March 1. They will be overseen by The Salvation Army Harbor Light Shelter in Minneapolis, the state’s largest homeless outreach center. Once completed, the complexes will include an on-site case manager who will work in collaboration with case managers from the nearby Minneapolis VA Medical Center, located within walking distance.

Including the new complexes, Harbor Light operates 41 single-occupancy housing units. Nineteen are for veterans, with the rest for people in transition. All are two-year programs focused on helping individuals achieve stable housing and long-term employment.       

“The Salvation Army deeply appreciates Best Buy’s commitment to improving the lives of veterans and other Twin Cities residents in need,” said Major Darryl Leedom, commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “Their noble efforts are helping The Salvation Army to break the cycle of homelessness and addiction, and to rebuild the lives of those struggling to reclaim control.”