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Walking Together for a World Where Everyone Has a Home

From September 28 to October 3, the employees of the VKR Group, a Danish holding and investment company in the building industry, came together for a truly inspiring initiative—the Donate Your Steps walking challenge, organized by the Employee Foundation of the VKR Group to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide safe and decent homes for families in need.

The challenge was simple yet impactful: employees tracked their steps in one week, and the Employee Foundation matched their efforts with a grant donation to Habitat for Humanity. The outcome? A remarkable 28,779,480 steps logged by 697 employees across 32 countries—an equivalent distance of approximately 21,938 km, or halfway around the planet. This initiative achieved the full grant target for Habitat’s Empty Spaces to Homes program, which repurposes vacant buildings into affordable housing for vulnerable populations across Europe.

Employee Foundation Walking Challenge

A Collective Effort  

The challenge was more than just a fitness activity. It symbolized the shared commitment of VKR Group employees to help others. “I’m amazed at the energy and enthusiasm our employees brought to this challenge,” said Lotte Kragelund, Executive Director of the Employee Foundation. “To see nearly 29 million steps collected in just a few days is nothing short of incredible. Every step represents hope for families in need of a decent housing, and we couldn’t be prouder of our team.”  

Impact Beyond Steps  

The funds raised through this initiative will go toward Habitat for Humanity’s transformative programs, creating homes for families and communities. “We are deeply grateful to the VKR Group employees for dedicating their time, energy, and effort to this cause,” said Rick Hathaway, Habitat for Humanity’s vice president for Europe and the Middle East. “Their commitment is helping us repurpose vacant buildings into affordable housing, proving that together, we can build a world where everyone has a place to call home.”  

Walking for Change  

This challenge was a powerful reminder of how small, everyday actions can lead to extraordinary outcomes. To all participants, your steps have brought families closer to their dreams of a safe and secure home. 

Thank you for making every step count!