First Ever Big Lake Habitat Home to be Dedicated to Millard Fuller, Habitat Founder

March 16, 2009

A national home-building alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International will help build a new home in Big Lake this year. "We are really excited to be working with the citizens of Big Lake to build the first Habitat for Humanity home in this community," said Bruce Johnson, Executive Director of Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity. "This partnership will help a family move out of substandard housing into safe, decent and affordable housing."

The project began with a special sign raising event on Friday, March 13 at 4 PM on the site of the new home located at 180 Monroe St., just east of Saron Lutheran Church. Mayor Laurie Kampa was on hand along with other members of the City Council and Big Lake Police Chief Sean Rifenberick to lead the program. Pastor Steve Ganskow-Wold of Saron Lutheran Church did a ground-blessing. Local children raised the sign. Hot chocolate and cookies were available for the participants, provided by Coborn's.

"We're delighted to dedicate this project to the memory of Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller, who passed away a few weeks ago," noted Jean Eveslage, Project Community Coordinator and Consumer Lending Officer at Riverwood Bank in Big Lake, which financed the land acquisition. "What better way to begin a new partnership serving a family in our community than to honor the man who helped get it all started."

Anyone interested in helping with the project should call Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity at 320-656-8890 ext. 3, or sign up by clicking on the "Volunteer Up" button at www.cmhfh.org.

This future home in Big Lake is part of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance that brings together thousands of volunteers and financial support from Thrivent Financial. This year in Minnesota, 34 homes will be built by 18 affiliates at a cost of over $5 million. Thrivent Financial provides 65% of that funding--over $3.2 million.