MAPLEWOOD, Minn. — Vikings players traded in helmets and thigh pads for safety googles and knee pads last Tuesday afternoon.

Eight teammates spent a portion of their day off volunteering during the Vikings annual Habitat for Humanity Build Week presented by Andersen Windows & Doors, dividing between brand-new, neighboring homes to transfer and hang sheetrock, as well as cut and lay flooring.

"Connecting with the community any way you can is awesome," long snapper Andrew DePaola said. "And when you're providing housing for people who really need it, it goes even deeper than that."

DePaola, who participated in Habitat for Humanity builds while growing up in Maryland and during previous NFL stops, emphasized the security home ownership can provide for a family.

"There's a couple things in life that are needs, not just wants, and housing is one of those needs," he said. "When you've got a bunch of things in life you need to worry about, getting something big like this checked off, I can't even imagine the weight that's lifted. This will hopefully really put a smile on someone's face."

DePaola was joined by Theo Jackson, Bo Richter, Walter Rouse, Ty Chandler, Henry Byrd, Joe Huber and Sione Takitaki.

"Today means everything," Rouse said. "The fact I get to come out here and know I'm going to be helping a family, helping people move into a house they can live, love and grow in — that's what makes this all so worth it.

"Being able to work on the flooring is fun, too," Rouse laughed, showing off his work gloves, "but the main thing is being able to help people."

Vikings volunteers were welcomed by Habitat for Humanity's Catherine Penkert, Chief of Staff, and Kate Loe, Vice President of Resource Development, who explained the impact Habitat makes throughout the Twin Cities.

"Healthy families, healthy communities, start with home. And that's what we try to make possible for as many people who want to own a home as possible in the Twin Cities," Penkert said. "We build homes, new construction like you're working on today, and we rehab homes. Most or all our homes are built by volunteers like all of you, so it's a really incredible, massive community group project to bring new homes to life."

While Habitat for Humanity homes are not free of cost, the monthly mortgage is capped at 30 percent of the qualifying homebuyers' income.

The largest affordable homeownership builder in the seven-country metro area, Twin Cities Habitat has partnered with more than 1,800 families since 1985 to unlock the power of homeownership. Thousands more have stabilized and improved their housing, finances and quality of life through Habitat's programming.

"We have a real laser-focus on advancing racial equity, and specifically advancing Black home ownership, and all of that sits on a foundation of engaging our community," Loe explained. "You are all part of that community, so for that, we thank you."

Habitat for Humanity is also thankful for Andersen Windows & Doors, one of the Vikings existing partners, for donating or deeply discounting all doors and windows installed in Habitat Twin Cities homes.

Eliza Chlebeck, Andersen Corporation Vice President of Communications & Community, attended the build and called the event a "super special" alignment of missions.

"As a company that makes windows and doors, we know firsthand the importance of home, and the work that Habitat does to create safe, stable, affordable home-ownership opportunities for families is so vital to the strength and stability of this community, which is something Andersen cares about," Chlebeck said. "And it's something the Vikings care a lot about, so our ability to come together, to bring our volunteer power, our resources, the visibility for this work to the community, it's something really important to Andersen, and we're really proud to partner with the Vikings on this."

Thielen Foundation renovates Austin High School weight room

You won't catch Adam Thielen saying positive things about the Packers most days, but he made an exception for the high school football team that shares a nickname with the NFC North rival.

The Thielen Foundation recently funded renovations for the Austin High School Packers weight room. Adam, his wife Caitlin and the couple's oldest son, Asher, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month.

"We've been very intentional to have our kids come to some of the things we're doing with our foundation, or even community events with the Vikings, just to show that it's a lot bigger than football," Adam told Vikings.com. "Sundays, it's my job, but it's bigger than that. It gives me a platform to be able to do good things … and make a way bigger impact than just playing football. It's good for him to see that, and then it creates conversation.

"He also gets to hear stories from the kids, from some of the youth athletes that share their testimonies of how [our foundation] has impacted them, so it's pretty cool to see," Adam added.

Austin marks the 10^th high school weight room Thielen Foundation has refurbished. Renovations included new equipment, new lighting and a revamped interior. Old equipment from the weight room was passed down to Ellis Middle School, giving younger athletes an opportunity to expand their training.

Adam spoke with students, staff and community members and reiterated his love for Minnesota. Though his foundation's impact in the state didn't wane while Adam spent two seasons with the Panthers, the Detroit Lakes native is grateful to be back home.

"We've seen what really comes out of these, the impact it's making even beyond athletics, and it's really cool," Adam said. "We're just trying to do more. And every time we get to go there and actually get in the community, talk to the people, we see how thankful they are."

He also congratulated the AHS Packers on partnering with DTS Fitness Education to provide specific training for high school athletes moving forward.

"With these spaces, we feel like it's an avenue to help you reach your goal, but not only in sports. It teaches you to prepare," Adam told the group. "Just like in sports, you can't just show up on game days and expect to be successful.

"It's great to have a great space, but if you don't know how to use it, it doesn't help," he added. "DTS does a great job of not only building athletes, but when they're done with athletics, they'll know how to take care of themselves, be healthier, and they'll know how to feel good."