Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Inc. and Thrivent Financial join in breaking ground in Knoxville

Two members of Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Inc. and two representative of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans turned over shovels full of dirt for the symbolic breaking of ground for the Thrivent Builds house in Knoxville on Sunday, April 27, 2008. Joel Johnson, Habitat volunteer coordinator, Jarred Roy, Habitat vice-president, and Harlan Ranshaw and Conrad Nelson representing the South Central Iowa Thrivent Financial Chapter and the Marion County Thrivent Financial Chapter broke ground at 609 E. Marion in a ceremony of prayer and thanksgiving.

Other participants at the groundbreaking ceremony read scripture, and participated in prayers . They include Thrivent representatives Angie Lyng, Diane Nelson, Delores Ranshaw, Jen Worthington, and from Good Shepherd Church Scott and Melissa Caudill and their children Logan and Delaney. Representing Habitat were Lisa Houser, new executive director, Lois Smith, secretary, Carol Vruwink, treasurer, Gary Anderson, site selection chair, and Lee Collins, who coordinates publicity for this Thrivent Builds house.

The house will be constructed over the next four months by volunteer builders, including members of Lutheran churches in Marion County in Pella, Knoxville, Melcher, and Lacona, First Lutheran Church in Chariton, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albia, Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Corydon, and First Lutheran Church in Centerville. Volunteer days will begin on May 17 and continue each Saturday (weather permitting) except for May 24. Members of Marion County Thrivent Financial and South Central Iowa Thrivent Financial will also be building and raising funds for the house. Volunteers from other churches and organizations will also be welcome and should call Joel Johnson (Home: 641-842-4146; Cell: 641-891-9739) to schedule a time to participate.. The Habitat partner family, Rita Crabtree and her three children, will also invest 250 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build their home

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity supports Habitat home-building in the United States and abroad through its Thrivent Builds Homes and Thrivent Builds Worldwide programs. It also supports the Thrivent Builds Mobile, a “multi-media exhibit on wheels” that will tour the U.S. in 2008 as it advocates for affordable housing and informs visitors about the Thrivent Builds alliance and how they can become involved.

To learn more, visit www.thriventbuilds.com.

About Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Inc. is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Marion County. Since 1997, Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Inc. has worked with 22 families to build homes. For more information, visit www.local.habitat.org/HFHofMarionCounty.

About the Greater Iowa Region of Thrivent Financial
The Greater Iowa Region of Thrivent Financial is made up of 74 financial representatives and more than 100,000 members in 90 Iowa counties. Together with its members, Thrivent Financial’s Greater Iowa Region provided more than $10.7 million in charitable outreach in 2007. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

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 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 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 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.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity contacts:
Cheryl Winget, 612-844-5025, Cell: 612-877-1958
Kelsey Midthun, 612-844-5825, Cell: 612-751-3483

Pictured above - front row: Lisa Houser, Lois Smith, Delores Ranshaw, Harlan Ranshaw, Carol Vruwink, Diane Nelson, Angie Lyng; back row: Jarred Roy, Conrad Nelson, Jen Worthington, Joel Johnson, Gary Anderson

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