07/22/2009 2:32 PM -
Times are tough economically. There’s no doubt about that, even in Bryan/College Station. That hasn’t stopped BCS Habitat for Humanity and local members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans from completing construction on a home with a family in urgent need of one. Now it’s time to celebrate the home they’ve helped build!
On July 11, 2009 at 10:00AM, volunteers, Habitat for Humanity representatives, Thrivent Financial representatives and members, city council members, and, of course, the excited partner family will gather at 1320 Patsy’s Glen in the Angels Gate subdivision to honor the hard work, the generous financial backing and the community support that made this home possible. A brief program is planned for 10:00AM. The homebuyers—Zelda Washington and her children—are more than a little eager to move into their new home. They have completed 500 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build the home, a basic tenet of Habitat for Humanity. They will repay the no-profit mortgage over a period of 30 years, illustrating Habitat for Humanity’s objective to give families a “hand up” rather than a “hand out.”
“Being able to help provide a family with a home means so much to Thrivent members,” states Greg Herwald the Chapter Specialist for the local Thrivent program. “Volunteering is important to them, and this gives them a great way to personally support our community by helping families achieve financial security.”
This new home is a result of an alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, this alliance has resulted in hundreds of decent, affordable homes across the country since 2005. Thanks to its 2.6 million members who own financial products with the organization, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is able to contribute to the improvement of communities like Bryan. The Thrivent Builds alliance also engages volunteers—members of Thrivent Financial, members of area Lutheran churches and members of the community at large—to work alongside the partner families to build these homes.
"Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is glad to be part of this Habitat for Humanity build. This is one of many ways Thrivent Financial fulfills its mission to improve the quality of life in the community. This is the third home built in a partnership between the local Thrivent Financial chapter and Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity," said David Bronstad a Financial Consultant for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
About Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity
Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Formed in 1989, the local affiliate is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and making the right to simple, decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity partners with low-income families and gives them an opportunity to work side by side with local volunteers in the construction of their homes. Once the homes are completed, families buy them at cost through zero-interest twenty to thirty-year mortgages. BCS Habitat has partnered with 165 families impacting over 700 people over the past 19 years. For more information, please visit www.habitatbcs.org
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. As a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. Thrivent Financial has main offices in Minneapolis, Minn., and Appleton, Wis. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.
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