You might call it a brush with greatness.

When Minnesota’s Branch Managers packed 200 dental kits in less than 15 minutes at an annual speed volunteering event last fall, their Assistant Manager colleagues decided it was “game on!”

The Assistant Managers’ final tally? Over 300 kits assembled in just 12 minutes.

And the best part: the employees’ competitive spirit will help brighten smiles all around Minneapolis thanks to an engaging program launched by the Enterprise team five years ago to support Children’s Dental Services (CDS).

The program creates individual kits containing toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss and a toothbrush for CDS to distribute throughout the year to low-income families in the community.

The partnership began after the Group committed to re-energize around Enterprise’s Founding Value “We strengthen our communities, one neighborhood at a time,” notes Amber S., Talent Development Manager.

“We wanted to do something exciting to kick off our United Way campaign,” she says. “The speed volunteering concept works well for us because it draws from our competitive nature.”

The kit-packing events take place each fall, when Amber and her Committee colleagues set up assembly stations during networking breaks at the group’s regularly scheduled meetings.

“When participants go back to their branches, they talk about their work and how we’re supporting the community through this project,” says Amber.

The activity certainly works to brighten spirits and raise awareness, but Amber also believes the project boosts United Way enthusiasm and participation.

“Last year’s United Way campaign raised more than $220,000,” she says. “We met our goals for the campaign, and we were very proud of achieving that milestone.”

Friendly smile from the Foundation

Thanks to the grants the group has received from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Amber and team are now able to expand the packing projects beyond internal meetings.

Additional kit-assembly events were held in conjunction with continuing education classes for insurance agents and adjusters. At one class, participants packaged more than 700 kits – while also learning about Enterprise’s support of CDS.

“It’s turned into such an incredible opportunity for us, from so many different perspectives,” Amber says. “The success of this program even spurred the United Way to ask us to make presentations about how we engage and involve our multi-location workforce in service campaigns.”