$355,000 Donation to Help 4 Dane County Families to Become Habitat for Humanity of Dane County Homeowners in 2009

December 23, 2008

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to Donate to Local Habitat Chapter Again

Contact: Cheryl McCollum, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County        
608-255-1549 or 608-658-8158 (cell), cmccollum@habitatdane.org            
    
MADISON, Wis. (Dec. 23, 2008) – The New Year will be a happier and busier time for four Dane County families thanks to a $355,000 donation from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Because of their continued generosity, four families will help build and then move into their new home before Christmas 2009. The homes will be built in the village of Oregon, Mazomanie, one in North Madison and one in Southeast Madison.

“This is a tremendous donation for our affiliate and the families we serve,” said Perry Ecton, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. “The Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity program has already helped 11 Dane County families become homeowners and in 2009 they will help another four. We are extremely grateful for Thrivent Financial and its total donation of $1.3 million since 2005.”

More than 1,000 families across the country, including three in Dane County, are in their first home this holiday season, thanks to a national home building alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. The $125-million alliance has helped build 6 percent of U.S. Habitat homes since 2005. The alliance will build 28 homes in Gulf Coast in 2009

Locally, this alliance has helped Habitat for Humanity of Dane County expand its home building capacity and has helped Dane County families like Amy Doble who was one of the first families to be part of the Thrivent Builds program in 2006.  

“As a single parent with three children, housing is an expensive, yet important decision,” said Amy Doble. “When we found out Habitat was building near where we live, we applied and are honored to be one of the families selected. Thanks Thrivent Financial and Habitat for helping us buy a home.”

Photo Cutline: Thanks to a generous donation from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, brothers Ange Gandhi, 9, and Patrick, 3, moved into their Madison home with their family earlier this month. They are one of 11 families who have already benefited from the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity program.

About Habitat for Humanity of Dane County
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need.  Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County has worked with nearly 150 families to build homes. Visit www.habitatdane.org for more information.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit membership organization helping nearly 3 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.