In this season of giving, I just want to say, “Thank you.” Your generosity this year helped Habitat for Humanity reach some amazing milestones.

I want to show you the exciting achievements Habitat celebrated in 2011, thanks to your support.  Please enjoy this video, and see the impact of your generosity in action – and in the smiling faces of partner-families who now live in decent housing thanks to support from you and other partners like you.

Video – 2011 Habitat for Humanity International Year in Review

In 2011, Habitat celebrated 35 inspiring years of partnering with families to provide them with safe, affordable homes. None of that work would be possible without the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you.

Wishing you safe and happy holidays,

Jonathan Reckford
Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity International

Richland

This grant, providing 55 percent of the cost of construction, comes from Minneapolis-based Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity International: Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.

 Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity is celebrating their award in conjunction with an international announcement made Dec. 5, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minn., when the partnership’s $160 million mark was surpassed with a $9.2 million commitment for 2012, the seventh year of a strong alliance between the two organizations. 

 Habitat for Humanity’s relationship with Thrivent Financial brings the financial, volunteer and advocacy resources of Thrivent Financial together with the affordable housing construction leadership of hundreds of local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. To date, more than 480,000 volunteers have donated more than three million hours to construct 1,600 homes in the U.S.

 The 2012 commitment will fund the construction and rehabilitation of 142 Habitat for Humanity homes in 32 U.S. states, including the homes built by Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity in Kennewick.

 “The Thrivent Builds alliance is helping Tri-County Partners Habitat increase the number of families served in our community,” said Theresa Richardson, Executive Director. “We are so grateful for Thrivent’s support of our efforts to provide decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.”

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Lutherans in helping provide a “hand up” to people in need of affordable housing, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Excluding government funding, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is Habitat’s largest single source of funding, constructing more than 2,700 homes in the U.S. and around the world since 2005. For more information, visit ThriventBuilds.com.

 About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.5 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.  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 Thrivent.com.

In addition to Rob Lowe, other notable personalities donating their handprints to the Valspar Hands for Habitat initiative include Andy Cohen, Angie Harmon, Ashley Greene, Calvin Klein, Cynthia Rowley, Donnie Wahlberg, Ellen DeGeneres, Ethan Hawke, James Earl Jones, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Sehorn, Jonathan Adler, Katie Couric, Kid Rock, Lauren Conrad, Naomi Watts, Nate Berkus, Paula Deen, Susan Sarandon, Teri Hatcher, Tori Spelling, Vanessa Williams, Zac Posen and many more.

Valspar is encouraging the general public to support this initiative and “lend a hand” by taking a picture of their own hands and posting it to the Valspar Paint Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ValsparPaint. For every photo received, Valspar will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity International!

To read the full news release click here.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Dedication and Program at 10:30 AM

Open House and Refreshments until 4:00 PM

4601 W. Grand Ronde Ave. Kennewick, WA

For more information see invitation below: Grand Opening Vet’s house (2)

Come in to the Store on Thursday and Friday from 8AM-5PM and Saturday from 8AM-4PM to donate.

Specific items needed are as follows:

Sugar, Soup, Flour, Baby Food, Rice, Evaporated milk, Beans, Powdered milk, Dried peas, Jello, Instant Mashed potatoes, Baby formula, Hamburger Helper, Baby Cereal, Tuna Helper, Cereal, Mac & Cheese, Cake mixes, Fruit (all types), Toilet paper

Vegetables: corn, beans, peas and mixed vegetables

Personal items: toothpaste, lotion, soap, shampoo, etc.

*Cash donations are always acceptable as we can purchase items needed.

Tri-Cities Food Bank                           Habitat Store

321 Wellsian Way                              309 Wellsian Way

Richland, WA 99352                           Richland, WA 99352

Who: Any and all ages welcome

When: July 16-17th

What: 3 On 3 Basketball Tournament, Slam Dunk Contest and Giveaways

Where: Columbia Point Marina Park

How: Register at richlandparksandrec.com by July 9, 2011 to reserve a spot for your team!