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• Thrivent Financial Volunteers and Future FVHFH Homeowners Raise the Walls

Thrivent Financial Volunteers and Future FVHFH Homeowners Raise the Walls

Future Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowner Monyca Wells, joined by Thrivent Manager of Lutheran Community Services,
Andy Locke, on her left and other Thrivent volunteers raising the walls of her neighbor's home.

Contact: Erin Faust
E-mail: [ email ]
Phone: 630-715-6791

Thrivent Financial Volunteers and Future Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Homeowners Raise the Walls

AURORA (July 18, 2005) - Over the last six weeks, more than 150 volunteers have worked with Louise Bell and Monyca Wells to build their new homes in Montgomery, IL. Both homes are in progress and on schedule for completion by late November. The hot and dry weather has made for some uncomfortable days on the construction site, but spirits remain high. To beat the heat, future homeowner Louise Bell tells herself, "This time next year, I'll be knitting on my front porch while my granddaughter plays in the yard." Monyca Wells also doesn't complain about the long, hot Saturday's onsite. Now that the exterior walls are up on her home, she recognizes that every day spent out there is one step closer to owning her own home.

A future homewoners' willingness to partner with Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity is one of the factors essential to their selection for a new home. Not only do Louise & Monyca participate with the Saturday construction teams, but they have also served as ambassadors for Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity by speaking to area congregations and educating people about the program.

These two women have been waiting over three years for homes from Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity. It was a pilot program with Thrivent Financial that allowed their homes to be built this year - at least one year earlier than expected. In these builds, Thrivent Financial will contribute about two-thirds of the funding for this new program through a national grant, with the remaining funding coming from continuing efforts of Thrivent Financial chapters, Lutheran congregations and Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Participation with Thrivent Financial's pilot program has allowed Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity to double the number of homes they can provide this year. "The support from Thrivent Financial, local Lutheran congregations and business owners has been overwhelming," exclaimed Nick DeVito, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity's Board President.

The growing pains accompanying these capacity builds have been worthwhile for both organizations. Long-time volunteers for Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity have stepped up to leadership roles onsite. They have been leading teams of Thrivent members, many who have never volunteered with the organization's other service activities. On a recent Saturday, Thrivent Financial Representive, Bill Fries, helped organize a team of 33 members from Our Saviours' Lutheran Church in Naperville to shingle Louise's roof and build the floor deck on Monyca's home. Only one person on the team had ever volunteered for a Thrivent Financial-led activity before. "The relationship with Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity has opened a whole new door for our members - one that they have obviously been waiting for," explained Andrew Locke, Thrivent Financial Manager of Lutheran Community Services. "This has been a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our members and mobilize them to serve Fox Valley Habitat." Over 29 Lutheran congregations throughout Kane, Kendall and DuPage Counties are supporting construction of these homes.

Dale Kunkel of Naperville has volunteered in many roles with Thrivent Financial but finds his experience with Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity to be more rewarding than others. "I've spent almost every Saturday out here learning how to build a home and how Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity works. While there are plenty of volunteer opportunities in this area, no others provide the chance to work on a regular basis alongside those who will directly benefit from the work. As their excitement increases with each phase of construction, so does mine."

Individuals and groups interested in supporting the builds through volunteering (e.g., assisting with the construction; providing snack/lunch breaks to volunteers; organizing a work team) should contact Thrivent Financial Community Services Specialist, Inga Theeke at 630-341-7663. Thursday volunteer teams and creative fundraising ideas are being solicited now.

About Fox Valley Habitat For Humanity
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity affiliate was founded in 1989 and has built 31 homes in the Fox Valley Area. In 2005, the affiliate is working towards a very ambitious year, which includes the building of 4 additional homes, to total 5 homes to be built by December. Additional volunteers and funds are always needed. To sponsor or contribute time or labor, contact Fox Valley Habitat at 630-859-3333.

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is a Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By the end of 2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th house and more than one million people will be living in Habitat homes they helped build and are buying through no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based fraternal benefit society called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families and communities by providing solutions that focus on financial security, wellness and caring for others. As a not-for-profit membership organization, Thrivent Financial is committed to helping its 2.8 million members achieve financial security and give back to their congregations and communities. Thrivent Financial has nearly 1,400 local volunteer groups nationwide called chapters. These chapters meet regularly to carry out a variety of volunteer efforts, fund-raising projects and educational programs to help individuals, families and communities. To find your local chapter, go to www.Thrivent.com and click on "Chapter Locator."