Special Olympics Polar Plunge Portable Pier
The Polar Plunge is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations, and businesses to support local Special Olympics athletes by jumping or slowly crawling into the frigid and icy waters of Wisconsin. The Eau Claire Polar Plunge was held on February 11 due to subzero temperatures on it’s originally-scheduled date, but over 600 Plungers still made the event a success raising over $80,000 for Special Olympics!
One of CVHBA’s 2007 community service projects is building a Polar Plunge Portable Pier (say that five times fast!) for the eager plungers that participate.
A big thank you to Jim Davis of Veolia Environmental Services, Dennis Pawlak of Pawlak Construction and Angela Deutschlander of Idea Signs, whom have provided volunteer labor, as well as material contributions by Randy Fleischman of United Building Center-Eau Claire. Jim, Dennis, Angela and Randy....thank you for all of your hard work...CVHBA is truly giving back to our communities and participating in the philanthropic, charitable spirit!
Cook Rutledge Mansion 
Annually, the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association gives back to the Chippewa Valley via the Philanthropic Outreach Committee’s ‘Community Service Projects.’ The second of two 2007 projects included removing shingles and installing felt, flashing and new cedar shingles on the 20’ X 28’ Cook Rutledge Mansion gift shop in Chippewa Falls.
On September 25-27, fourteen CVHBA volunteer members and two CVHBA staff members provided three days of volunteer labor. Thank you to all whom made this Community Service Project a success: Chris Peterson, Jason McConnell, John Rau and Brian Lee of Peterson Custom Homes; Mark Abramowicz and Jake Parson of Abby’s Custom Woodworking; Dennis Pawlak, Pawlak Construction; Roy Rico, Rico Quality Homes; Jim Bechly, Bank Mutual; Dan Leibham, US Bank; Rob Bearrood, Chippewa Valley Door Company; Jacob Halama, UW Stout Construction Trades-Junior; Al Sundstrom, Sundstrom Construction; Jim Davis, Veolia Environmental Services; Catherine Lea, Cook Rutledge Mansion Board of Directors; Mary Kay Brevig, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative; Kim Halvorson, CVHBA Marketing Director and Lance Clark, CVHBA Executive Vice President.
Northstar Nature Trail Pavilion
CVHBA members provided material, cash and labor contributions of three + days that resulted in a permanent Pavilion close to the Northstar Middle School, North Side of Eau Claire, and adjacent to a nature trail that both middle school students and the public alike utilize throughout the year. This project was an excellent partnership between the educational community and our membership. Estimated material, cash and labor contributions were approximately $10,000 in value
