170 Workers Frame House in Parking Lot for Family in Need

Imagine pulling into work and spending your day swinging hammers instead of sitting at a desk. That's exactly what 170 Bendix employees did on June 1st, transforming their Avon, Ohio headquarters parking lot into a bustling construction site for a family in need.

The commercial vehicle systems company partnered with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity to frame an entire two-story house in a single day. Volunteers signed the finished wall frames with messages of encouragement before loading them onto trucks bound for a local Habitat development site.

"We share a lasting commitment at Bendix to building communities and having a positive impact on our neighbors," said Maria Gutierrez, global head of health, safety, and environment for the company's parent division. The workers purchased all the wood and fasteners themselves, plus contributed to the roof fund.

This wasn't a one-time feel-good project. The 2026 build marks the 20th home framed by Bendix employees since they started the tradition in 2015. Rain or shine, the team gathers each year at their Avon facility on Chester Road for what's become a highlight on their community calendar.

The Ripple Effect

The impact goes beyond one family getting keys to a new home. When 170 people spend their day building together, they're strengthening workplace bonds while creating lasting change in their neighborhood. The volunteers don't just frame walls and move on. They write personal messages on the wood that will become someone's living room, bedroom, and kitchen.

Bendix coordinated with CrossRoads Missions for wall transportation and ran a parallel ReStore collection drive leading up to the build day. The company's Local Care Team, along with their environmental, health and safety group, made the massive volunteer effort possible.

For the family who will eventually move into this home, these frames represent stability and hope built by neighbors who cared enough to show up with hammers in hand.