The American Rental Association (ARA) Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation partnered July 29 to improve the outdoor space at Bolder Options, a Minneapolis nonprofit that provides wellness-based mentoring for middle school youth.
The project included a $20,000 grant, donated equipment and dozens of volunteers who built new above-ground garden beds, installed fencing and completed extensive landscaping. Local rental companies, including Ditch Witch of Minnesota and Iowa, Crown Rental, Broadway Equipment, A1 Rent It and others, joined the effort.
Preparation work began earlier in the week, with crews removing old fencing and garden beds and pre-building new structures. On the main project day, more than 30 volunteers installed 30 fence panels, two gates and 80 feet of edging. They laid 44 yards of mulch, cleared debris, removed aging trees and bushes, pressure washed the property and added new plants.
Darrell Thompson, president of Bolder Options, praised the work. “The heroic face-lift to the building, being able to see the building, feel safer in the building — it looks wonderful and we are very grateful,” he said.
Founded in 1993, Bolder Options pairs youth ages 10 to 14 with volunteer mentors for weekly activities focused on health, academics and community engagement. The Minneapolis project is one of several ARA Foundation Community Impact Projects taking place across the country.
