Larson-Danielson Construction has been a trusted name in the Region for decades. Since its inception, it has defined community involvement as a blend of financial generosity and hands-on service.
“For the past five generations, we have firmly held the belief that there's always time to give back, whether it's with our time or our talent,” said Heather CyGan, Human Resources Generalist at Larson-Danielson Construction.
Fourth-generation owner and the company’s previous President, Tim Larson agrees that supporting the community has always been a critical part of Larson-Danielson Construction.
“Community involvement is a core value at Larson-Danielson Construction, and we encourage all our employees to be active in the community and support various organizations, businesses, and community events,” said Larson.
The deep-seated commitment to community engagement at Larson-Danielson Construction is a longstanding tradition rooted in the company’s rich history. This dedication has been passed down through generations, beginning with the efforts of the company’s founders.
“In 1911, my great grandfather, Frank Larson, and his partners, his brother Charlie Larson and his brother-in-law Emil Danielson, built the original YMCA building on Michigan Avenue in La Porte,” said Larson. “That started a long history of community involvement for our firm with the YMCA.”
Throughout the years, Larson-Danielson has supported several YMCA facilities, including those in La Porte and Porter Counties. Today, Brian Larson sits on the board of the YMCA of La Porte County and Nick Larson is a member of the Board of Directors of the Valparaiso Family YMCA. Larson-Danielson is also a proud partner of both organizations.
The YMCA is not the only organization the company supports. Larson-Danielson regularly partners with and sponsors a variety of organizations, including schools, community programs, public safety initiatives, and parks.
For years, Larson-Danielson has supported local organizations with monetary donations. Recently, the company has expanded its efforts with a program called "First Fridays," which brings employees together for professional development, team building, and meaningful community service.
“During First Fridays we offer a couple of different options for community service,” said CyGan. “It’s a great opportunity for our employees to engage with the community and to provide a service with a bit of sweat equity.”
These monthly events are transforming how the company gives back, creating opportunities for employees to directly contribute to causes that matter. From food drives to hands-on projects like building raised planter beds for local farms, these efforts reflect Larson-Danielson Construction’s commitment to making a difference.
“In 2023, we hosted a food drive benefiting a couple of local food pantries,” CyGan said. “Our goal was to collect 1,000 items, and we ended up collecting more than 1,300 items.”
The 2023 food drive beneficiaries included the Pax Center in La Porte and First Fruits Farm in Valparaiso. Delivering the food to the organizations allowed Larson-Danielson employees to learn more about both groups, especially First Fruits Farm.
“We had about eight employees who delivered all the goods and pantry items to the farm,” said CyGan. “When we were there, they showed us a massive garden that needed raised planter beds.”
The project quickly became a new First Friday event, bringing together field and office staff to turn the vision into reality. This collaborative effort brought together field carpenters and office staff, combining craftsmanship and teamwork to create tools that make gardening easier for farm volunteers.
“Creating those raised beds was one of my favorite projects last spring,” said CyGan. “Now, we are in the middle of another food drive. Our goal is to collect 2,205 items for five different pantries.”
These donations will directly benefit the following food pantries, each serving a critical role in their respective counties in which our teams work:
- Lake County: Tradewinds Community Pantry, Merrillville
- Porter County: Immanuel Lutheran Food Pantry, Valparaiso
- LaPorte County: The Pax Center, LaPorte
- St. Joseph County: St. Joe County Community Food Pantry, South Bend
- Jasper County: Good Samaritan Food Pantry, Rensselaer
Beyond First Fridays, Larson-Danielson Construction’s "Casual for a Cause" program, allows employees to dress casually on Fridays and donate to local organizations. The effort further amplifies its impact by encouraging employees to donate to causes close to their hearts.
In fact, Larson-Danielson Construction encourages employees to suggest non-for-profits for First Fridays and Casual for a Cause.
In 2025, Larson-Danielson plans to take this a step further by matching employee donations, doubling the collective impact and ensuring the company’s contributions align with the causes employees care about most.
“We are excited to push it a little further so that we can help even more nonprofits around the area and provide even more support,” says CyGan.
“Encouraging employees to be active in the community is not just good for the community – it gives our team a sense of accomplishment, connections to others and pride in our community,” said Larson.
Through programs like First Fridays and Casual for a Cause, Larson-Danielson Construction is building more than just structures—it’s building relationships and empowering people.
For more information about Larson-Danielson Construction, please visit ldconstruction.com.
