The Power of Giving: Transforming Lives and Your Own

Danni was presented the 2024 Hilti North America's Legacy Cup Award by Hilti's CEO, Mike McGowan and the Executive Management Team, during this year's Annual Sales Meeting. Since 2009, Hilti North America team members have been invited to celebrate the efforts of colleagues by nominating them for the prestigious Legacy Cup. This special award honors an exceptional team member who has consistently demonstrated a passion for building a better future and engaging beyond business.

Imagine a world where every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Now, picture the thousands of children in foster care who face uncertainty, trauma, and instability. The contrast is heartbreaking—but here’s the good news: each of us has the power to change a child’s life.

From Personal Experience to Purpose: The Journey of Giving Back

For me, this isn’t just a belief, it’s my reality. As a former foster child, I know firsthand what it feels like to grow up in an environment where safety and stability are not guaranteed. I also know how powerful it is when one person chooses to show up, to care, and to see your potential. That’s what changed my life. And it’s why I now dedicate my time, energy, and heart to children who are walking the same path I once did.

Danni and team volunteering at Denver Children's Home.

Volunteering with the Denver Children's Home (DCH) is deeply personal. It’s more than giving back; it’s about paying forward the kindness and belief others once gave me. DCH provides education, therapy, mentorship, and a safe place for children who’ve experienced neglect, abuse, and unimaginable trauma. Their mission is to “restore hope and health to children and families affected by trauma … [DCH] helps these children heal and thrive … [and] empower them to take control of their own treatment, helping them understand their emotions, behaviors, and responses to life events, and teaching them to manage challenges in healthy ways.”

Hilti's Commitment to Community: Building Connections and Creating Impact Through Volunteering

At Hilti, we’re fortunate to receive two paid volunteer days each year. I use those days and rally my team to support DCH. What began with helping maintain their therapy garden grew into something much bigger: serving lunches, fulfilling wish lists, and making blankets to bring comfort to the kids. These moments aren’t tasks, they’re touchpoints of human connection. They’re reminders to these children that they matter, they are seen, and they are not alone.

This year, I was honored to receive Hilti’s Legacy Cup, an annual award that recognizes impact through volunteering. Winning this award was deeply emotional, not because of the recognition itself, but because it represented something far greater. It validated the importance of this mission, it amplified our efforts across Hilti North America, and it sparked a ripple effect I never imagined.

What started as a team initiative grew into a movement. In 2025, Hilti teams across North America have targeted 135 nonprofit organizations to bring this purpose to life. Volunteering has become a shared language, a way to connect, contribute, and live out our values beyond the workplace.

Danni and team volunteering at Denver Children's Home.

The Transformative Power of Presence: Making Impact Through Volunteering

When you step into a space like DCH, you are not only giving your time, you are giving hope. Whether it’s tutoring, mentoring, or simply sitting beside a child during an art activity, your presence says: You are not forgotten. You are worthy. You belong.

The impact is real. Studies show that consistent, caring adult influences help foster children build resilience, perform better in school, and develop healthier relationships. Beyond the stats, I have seen firsthand the transformation in their eyes, and the shift when a child realizes someone believes in them.

And honestly? I’ve been transformed too. Volunteering has made me more grounded, more empathetic, and more connected to my purpose as a person and as a leader. It reminds me why I do what I do, and who I do it for.

You do not need special training to volunteer, only the willingness to show up and care. Whether you are helping with homework, leading a group activity, or simply offering a listening ear, your efforts matter. The Denver Children's Home offers opportunities for all kinds of talents and schedules. No act of kindness is too small.

If you’ve ever felt the urge to make a difference, now is the time. These children need mentors, role models, and allies. They need people who will stand beside them and remind them of their worth. You can be that person. You can be the light in someone’s darkest moment.

Volunteering isn’t just about changing lives, it’s about transforming your own.

Explore Opportunities at Hilti

At Hilti, we are committed to creating opportunities for our team members to make long-lasting impact beyond our careers. Learn more and explore our opportunities in North America and worldwide here: Jobs | Hilti Careers.