By Bobby Kirby, AmeriCorps National Direct
I recently had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Dave Schultz, financial director for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Anne Arundel County. The day consisted of finishing work for the Tanner family’s new Habitat home–a busy day to say the least! Everywhere I looked, Thrivent volunteers, Red Hats and Habitat staff were scurrying this way and that to make sure the tasks were completed. I was lucky to pry Mr. Schultz away from his work just long enough for him to tell me more about Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.
Dave Schultz- Welcome Home Tanner Family!
“Our main mission,” Dave said, while peeling paint from his exhausted hands “is to help provide somebody that needs a home with a new Habitat home.” Thrivent Builds has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake for over eight years and completed eight different homes. Through the coalition of Anne Arundel County’s Lutheran churches, $12,000+ in fundraising and more than 150 volunteer opportunities have contributed to the redevelopment of 40 Pleasant Street in Annapolis. In addition to their group’s fundraising accomplishments, Dave told me, “Our volunteers gain a lot (from the experience). They get together in fellowship, develop new relationships, and learn new building techniques which can be applied in our own lives.”
Together, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity are working to promote safe, decent and affordable housing in our communities. Our deepest thanks goes out to Dave Shultz, Thrivent Builds volunteers, and all of the Thrivent Builds supporters. Good luck, God bless and Happy New Year to every one of you!
