Thrivent Builds Commits Largest Gift Ever to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for Ten Homes

Minneapolis, MN, May 12, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Now more than ever, support for the valuable work of nonprofit organizations is essential to our community’s well being. Thrivent Builds has answered that call to action by committing its largest gift ever to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) with $1.3 million dollars for the construction of 10 homes throughout the Twin Cities.

“At a time when our country is reflecting on what went wrong with our economy and our housing market, this gift represents everything that is right with America - compassion, generosity and a commitment to rebuilding our community,” said Susan Haigh, president of TCHFH. “Thrivent embraces the hard working values that embody Habitat’s homeownership model, and they are ready to roll up their sleeves and help us make a difference.”

A kick-off event celebrating the partnership will be held on Monday, May 18, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at 1605 Case Ave in St. Paul, where three of the 10 Thrivent Builds homes will be located. Speakers include St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Habitat homebuyer Abraham Shokiyo, and representatives from Thrivent Builds and Habitat for Humanity.

Thrivent Builds is a special alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International that has committed $125 million and thousands of volunteers over the past four years for the construction of homes across the globe.

Including the current 10 homes, Thrivent Builds has partnered with Twin Cities Habitat on 33 homes, providing over $4 million in sponsorship dollars. As part of the sponsorship, ten percent of dollars received by TCHFH are tithed to Habitat International for its homebuilding efforts abroad. Worldwide, Thrivent Builds has built over 1,500 homes so far, with hundreds more planned for this year.

Thrivent Builds sponsored homes will be constructed this year by TCHFH in St. Paul (3), Ramsey (3), Chaska (2), Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis. Thrivent Builds’ St. Paul site will mark Twin Cities Habitat’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified multi-family development.

“Being able to help provide ten Twin Cities families with a home means so much to Thrivent members. Volunteering is important to our members, and this gives them a great way to personally support our community by helping families achieve financial security,” said Nikki L. Sorum, Senior Vice President of Field Distribution within the Minnesota Region for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. “And we are so excited to have three of the homes being built at Twin Cities Habitat’s first LEED multifamily project. Building green is another way to preserve the families’ financial stability by keeping their homes efficient and affordable to maintain.”

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Editor’s Notes:

Twin Cities Habitat has a long history of green building and sustainable development, is currently the largest nonprofit builder of Energy Star labeled homes in the State of Minnesota, and recently completed its first LEED certified single family home in Crystal.

Products and building techniques for the St. Paul LEED multifamily development will be chosen with the following criteria in mind:
· Identify green/sustainable techniques and building materials that can be easily replicated throughout the organization’s construction operation.
· Choose products and techniques that are volunteer-friendly to implement or install.
· Select products that prove affordable and energy efficient in the long-run.
· Ensure that products and systems are easy to maintain for the future homeowner

Twin Cities Habitat has a website that provides further information about green building practices. Visitors can view regular updates of the St. Paul multifamily project, take an interactive tour of the Crystal Demonstration house, and learn more by visiting www.habitatbuildsgreen.org.

About Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
The mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. An award-winning nonprofit housing developer, Twin Cities Habitat is committed to building the quality of life, health and economic prosperity of the region by producing, preserving and advocating for affordable homeownership – because homes and families are the foundation of successful communities. For more info, visit www.tchabitat.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 financial services membership organization helping nearly 3 million members thrive in life. Thrivent Financial and its subsidiaries offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial brings its members together for social, educational and volunteer activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.