Dedicated Volunteers at Raise the Roof Golf Tournament

The Raise the Roof Golf Tournament is Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s annual outreach and fundraising event which generates support to help families make a brighter future for their children. This event would not be possible without Habitat’s partnership with General Mills and all of their volunteers. Leading up to this year’s tournament, Habitat was able to talk to Linda and Rich Johnson, a couple of General Mills volunteers who have been volunteering at the event for over 10 years.

Linda worked in the finance department for General Mills for 23 years. While she was there, General Mills sent out an email seeking out volunteers for the Raise the Roof Golf Tournament. Linda saw this as a great opportunity. “At that time, I knew that General Mills really cared about giving back to the community and I saw it as an opportunity for me to get involved.” Linda continued to jokingly say, “I was also interested in getting a paid day-off at the golf course.” After volunteering at the event for three years straight, her husband, Rich, decided that he would get involved in the fun too.

It has been four years since Linda retired from General Mills, but they continue to come back and volunteer at the event each year. “I believe that I volunteered at Raise the Roof for five or six years before I retired, and this year will be my fifth time since I left General Mills. So this year will be my 10^th or 11^th year volunteering”, says Linda.

When asked what keeps them coming back year after year, Linda said, “I really value the General Mills partnership with Habitat because General Mills has the opportunity to provide so many volunteers. Picking an organization, like Habitat, that is right in the community is a great, great partnership. It is great to see the fruit of the partners and how it benefits a great cause like Habitat for Humanity”.

Although giving back to the community is their primary reason for volunteering, Linda and Rich also enjoy the event because it is always a fun day to be a part of. Rich said that one of his favorite parts of the event is, “all the joking that happens on the course. I enjoy heckling the players. Some have a great sense of humor and some take it more seriously but everyone is having fun and it is great to see.”

As this year’s Raise the Roof event approaches, Habitat is looking forward to seeing the Johnsons in their signature red chairs making many more fun memories with all the volunteers and sponsors in attendance. Click below to learn more about Raise the Roof or other Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity events.