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Minnesota State Fair exhibit aims to open eyes, hearts
Fairgoers who tour Thrivent Builds Mobile will gain new insight to national problem
Those touring the “big, red truck” will see a bare light bulb, dangling from the ceiling; fallen plaster leaving holes in the walls and a single outlet overloaded with electrical plugs. Torn curtains hang limply over broken windows and an ancient space heater appears unsafe and insufficient. “I definitely want to help after seeing [this] truck,” said one young lady who recently toured the exhibit at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus. “My goodness!” added another. “I had no idea that people lived like this in America today.” Located on Wright Avenue near the 4H building, the Thrivent Builds Mobile exhibit offers heart-wrenching insight into the plight of an ever-growing group of citizens—those who find themselves without decent housing, having to accept such conditions because of the economy. A nine-minute presentation inside the 67-foot semi will help connect fairgoers with the sights, sounds and feel of substandard housing and inform them how they can be a part of the solution. The exhibit, which has visited nine states this year, is designed to rally thousands of volunteers, donors and others to support Habitat for Humanity’s effort to build safe, decent, affordable housing. And the inspiration comes with the right price tag: the only way to spend money at this “easy on the pocket” exhibit is by competing in a popular nail-pounding competition—challenging a mother, a brother, or a significant other to beat your time. Just $1 is all it takes to participate and 100 per cent of funds raised will help area Habitat for Humanity affiliates build more homes for families in need. The Thrivent Builds Mobile will be at the Minnesota State Fair and open to the public: • 9:00am to 8:00pm, August 27 – September 7, 2009 • Located inside the fairgrounds on Wright Ave. near the 4H building • Includes children’s activities and a free gift for those who tour the exhibit This truck is part of a four-year, $125 million alliance between Minnesota-based Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International called “Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.” Engaging thousands of volunteers who help build homes funded by the alliance, Thrivent Builds is the largest four-year commitment in the history of either organization. By the end of 2009, the fourth year of this unprecedented alliance, Thrivent Builds will have supported construction of more than 1,300 U.S. homes, including 130 homes for families in Minnesota. Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a four-year $125 million alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. The alliance makes Thrivent Financial one of Habitat’s largest single allies and aims to increase Habitat’s annual house production by hundreds of U.S. homes per year and more around the world. In 2009, more than 300 homes are being built in 37 states and the District of Columbia and more than 100 trips are planned for worldwide projects. For more information, visit www.thriventbuilds.com. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates 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 creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com. 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 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org. For downloadable photos, visit http://www.thriventbuilds.com/media/photogallery/mobile.html. |
| Contact Information: | |
| Cheryl Winget Media Relations Specialist cheryl.winget@thrivent.com Phone: 612-844-5025 | |
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