Mayor Bellamy and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans presented a ceremonial key and dedicated a recently completed home in West Asheville on October 6th. Mayor Bellamy, volunteers, Habitat for Humanity representatives, Thrivent Financial representatives and members, and, of course, the excited partner family, gathered to celebrate the completion of Habitat’s fourth Thrivent Builds home.

The homebuyers— the Gherasims —were eager to move into their new home.  They completed 400 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build the home, a basic tenet of Habitat for Humanity. They will repay the 0% interest mortgage over a period of 30 years, illustrating Habitat for Humanity’s objective to give families a “hand up” rather than a “hand out.”

“The Thrivent Builds alliance has helped Asheville Area Habitat increase the number of families served in our community,” said Betsy Warren, Sponsorship Coordinator for Asheville Area Habitat. “We are so grateful for Thrivent’s support of our efforts to provide decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.”

The new home, located in Habitat’s Carney Place neighborhood in West Asheville, is a result of a partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, this partnership has resulted in more than 2,500 decent, affordable homes across the country and around the world since 2005.

To see photos from the event, click here.