Dedication celebrates new chapter for Scott family
The dedication was attended by a house packed with construction and program volunteers, Thrivent Financial representatives, donors, and the excited partner family. They gathered to celebrate the hard work, the generous financial backing and the community support that made this home possible. Homebuyer, Amy Scott, is more than just a little eager to move into her new home. She has completed 200 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build the home, a basic tenet of Habitat for Humanity.
John Loken, Habitat Board Member, presented Amy with a new bible and said, “Amy and her family will now make it a home.” Amy thanked the Habitat volunteers & donors for building a new home for her family.
Thrivent Financial Representatives Judy Dinger and Larry E Gebhardt attended the dedication and congratulated the affiliate for being the first affiliate to complete a Thrivent Builds home in 2010 in the State of Minnesota.
The new home, located at 909 Oak Street in Alexandria, 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 Alexandria. Thrivent Financial contributed 65 percent of the house costs—a total of $82,092 and is also engaging local volunteers who are members of Thrivent Financial, members of area Lutheran churches and members of the community at large, to donate additional funds and volunteer their time to work alongside the partner families to build these homes.
Bruce Olson and Marie Anderson, family mentors, partnered with the family to plan sweat equity hours during the construction of the home and will work with the family after moving in to ensure a smooth transition to home ownership.
In addition, to the celebration of the new Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity home, the affiliate also took time to acknowledge the 27 homes the Douglas County affiliate has helped build overseas. Lori Anderson, Executive Director said, “Our affiliate participates in the home for a home campaign. Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County donates 10 percent of its general contributions to help support the building of homes with families in need in Nicaragua.”