MORE THAN 70 PEOPLE ATTEND EVERGREEN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND THRIVENT FINANCIAL GROUND BLESSING CEREMONY

Inclement Weather No Deterrent for Those Attending Ceremony Kicking off the Build of Patten Park’s Second Home

VANCOUVER, Wash., Mar. 17, 2009 — For those hardy souls attending the Evergreen Habitat/Thrivent Financial ground-blessing ceremony, the day started out blustery, rainy, and cold. By the time the ceremony ended and the sun came out, the crowd was already warm, fueled by the feeling of goodwill that surrounded the ceremony and the Habitat partner family, Rebecca Cramer and daughters Rachael, Sammi, and Erica.

The ceremony marked the start of the local alliance between Evergreen Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Evergreen Habitat for Humanity has been awarded nearly $100,000, or 65 percent of the funds necessary, to build the Cramer home. This home will be built by area volunteers, of whom at least one-half will be Lutheran and one-fourth will be Thrivent Financial members. The Cramers will also invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build their home.

Board President Russ Chambers started off the ceremony by introducing the Cramers. Rebecca spoke movingly of her hopes for her children; that they will be able to grow up in a healthy environment and to one day achieve the American dream of homeownership. Pastor Jim Stender of St. Andrews Lutheran then offered up several prayers: for the home, the Cramers, and for the safety of the volunteers who will be working on the build. Dane Andersen, the local Thrivent Financial representative, followed and spoke about how proud he was to be part of a company that chooses to put its money back into the local community.

As a surprise finale, Carmen Villarma, president of The Management Group, stepped to the microphone to announce that her company has donated the use of one of its apartments to the Cramer family for the duration of the build. The Cramer children had been suffering health problems due to the condition of their previous apartment, so this generous gesture was well-timed and much appreciated.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the sun broke out from behind the clouds. It seemed a fitting end to a ceremony that marked a new beginning for one more local family.

About Evergreen Habitat for Humanity

Evergreen Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Clark and Skamania counties. Since 1991, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity has worked with 17 families to build homes. For more information, visit www.ehfh.org .

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit financial services membership organization helping nearly 3 million members thrive in life. Thrivent Financial and its subsidiaries 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 brings its members together for social, educational and volunteer activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, please contact Kristina Aitchison, Executive Director, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, at 360-737-1759.