This year, Thrivent Financial has announced an increase in its four-year commitment to $125 million. Of that amount, $23.2 million will be used in 2008 to build 322 Habitat homes in 42 states. For the second consecutive year Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County was awarded one of the homes Thrivent will be building this year. Three other homes will be built in North Texas, two in Ft.Worth and one in McKinney in the fall. HfH-SCC and North Collin County Habitat (HfH-NCC) will be partnering with Trinity River and North Central Texas Chapter Lutheran churches to build homes in Plano and McKinney.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is providing 65% of the costs of the home, the Habitat affiliate 25% of the costs and local chapters and churches will raise the remaining 10%. The 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 Habitat partner family will also invest 400 hours of "sweat equity" helping to build their home.

Fundraisers and volunteer sign ups are continuing to be held at local Lutheran churches throughout CollinCounty. For more information on the Collin County builds contact Habitat for Humanity - South Collin County at 972-398-0634 or North Collin County Habitat at 972-542-5300.