Move-in day set for new Habitat home

Habitat for Humanity representatives, volunteers, Thrivent Financial representatives and members, St. Peters officials, and, of course, an excited family will gather at 9 a.m., Sept. 12, at 124 Eisenhower Dr., located in the Enclaves at Eisenhower in St. Peters  to honor the hard work, the generous financial backing and the community support that made the latest Habitat home possible.

A brief program is planned from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. The homebuyers—Brad and Marilyn Rush and their five children—are more than a little eager to move into their new home. They have completed more than 350 hours of “sweat equity” in helping build their home, a basic tenet of Habitat for Humanity.  They will repay the no-profit mortgage over a period of 30 years, illustrating Habitat for Humanity’s objective to give families a “hand up” rather than a “hand out.”

“We are thrilled to have the Rush family as our latest Habitat for Humanity of St Charles County partner family,” said Ashlee Johnson, HFHSCC executive director. “Brad and Marilyn have proved to be a model family and are looking forward to moving into their new home.”

The new home is a result of an alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, the alliance has resulted in the construction of hundreds of decent, affordable homes across the country since 2005. Thanks to its 2.6 million members who own financial products with the organization, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is able to contribute to the improvement of communities like St. Peters. The Thrivent Builds alliance also engages volunteers—members of Thrivent Financial, members of area Lutheran churches and members of the community at large—to work alongside the partner families to build these homes.

"Hundreds of local volunteers from over a dozen Lutheran congregations and community groups contrib

uted their time and talents to build this home with the Rush family,” said Allison Clark, Thrivent member engagement specialist. “Thrivent members and financial representatives were also involved at each step of the way, to personally support the community and help another family achieve financial security through home ownership. From the first nail to the last, from the planning stage to dedication day, building a home with Habitat is an incredible experience for all involved.

“We are honored to have a played a part in the Rush family's new home," Clark said.