Bynum also did some work in the Philippines in June, participating in a feeding program and providing resources to families in need.
But on Tuesday, the second-year safety out of Cal was hammering nails alongside his teammates.
“I love building stuff. This is something I love to do and enjoy doing it back at home with my family,” Bynum said. “I grew up doing this, but being able to do it for other people and knowing this is going to be somebody’s home eventually, that’s a big deal for me.”
The City of Richfield sold the property the house is being built on to Twin Cities Habitat for just $1. The buyer of the house will be identified later this fall and will be invited to U.S. Bank Stadium for a Vikings game-day experience.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Chris Coleman said providing safe, affordable home ownership is crucial for the community and the families in it.
“We know that every time a family gets into a home that Habitat has built that they now own, it’s a gamechanger for them,” Coleman said. “Not just for the first generation or even the second generation, but for generations to come, because they build equity, they create stability and they create a platform on which that family can thrive.”
Vice President of Polaris Slingshot Chris Sergeant said the organization that’s partnered with the Vikings since 2015 is excited to expand that relationship to help Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” Sergeant said. “Since our founding in Roseau, Minnesota, more than 65 years ago, we’ve always believed in giving back to the communities that we’ve been a part of. We like to call it ‘Being geared for good,’ and that sentiment runs deep throughout our employee organization.”
Smith said it’s important to provide a positive impact and influence to the community.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Just trying to give hope and show that anything is possible; for the Vikings and for Habitat for Humanity to do something like this, it’s awesome.”