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| | Over 1,800 in Indiana Region toured Thrivent Builds Mobile |
| In 2006, the Thrivent Builds Mobile made three visits to the Indiana Region, bringing the “joyful noise” of homebuilding to Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Over 1,800 tour visitors in the Indiana Region learned about poverty housing and what we can all do about it. The Thrivent Builds Mobile is sponsored by Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, an unprecedented expansion of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’® longstanding commitment to Habitat for Humanity® International. Thank you to everyone who played a part in the success of the Thrivent Builds Mobile! |
| | Thrivent Builds Mobile to Fort Wayne, May 2006 | | | With support from Fort Wayne Habitat for Humanity, on Friday, May 19 we had about 400 tour the Thrivent Builds Mobile at Concordia Lutheran High School from 8:30am-2:30pm. It was a cold morning, but as the day went on, the sun was shining, we had an abundance of volunteers to help (adults and students), and the first day for the Thrivent Builds Mobile went well. Thanks to Concordia Lutheran High School for organizing all of the tours and the student volunteers, and thanks to all the Fort Wayne Thrivent employees who made the Thrivent Builds Mobile a part of their Friday! There was a small crowd for the media presentation at 1:45pm, but the words that Habitat homeowner Arturo Lopez spoke touched each of our hearts to do something for families who need a hand up, but not a handout. Phil Shaull, representing U.S. Senator Richard Lugar took a tour of the Thrivent Builds Mobile, as did Scott Bradtmiller, the Grant Administrator for the Fort Wayne Community Development for Housing and Neighborhoods. And we can't forget Dinger, the Fort Wayne Wizards mascot, who entertained the volunteers and students for part of the morning. | 
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On Saturday, we had about 70 tour the truck from 9am-1pm in the back parking lot at Concordia Theological Seminary. The day began with some upset soccer parents who thought our truck took too much space in their parking lot, but once our smart team engineered a drive through, people weren't upset about us taking part of the parking lot. A special thank you goes out to Joe Franklin for wearing the yellow vest and directing traffic like a champ all morning. About ten Fort Wayne Habitat for Humanity board and staff enjoyed the first tour of the day before jetting off to their 98th home dedication in Fort Wayne. Our folks from Concordia Theological Seminary were right about the seminary students taking off after graduation on Friday, so we didn't give any tours to seminary students or staff. Thanks to all the volunteers from the local Allen County Thrivent chapters--we were well staffed all day. Each person to go on the tour got a Fort Wayne Habitat for Humanity brochure from Resource and Development Director Laurie Brumbaugh...and the added bonus of a pack of "Big Red" gum to go with the "Big Red Truck." Also, a special thanks to Dinger, the Fort Wayne Wizards mascot who showed up at the truck for the second time in one weekend to throw softballs to the families watching the soccer tourneyment at the seminary. Some young soccer players enjoyed the kids' table where they could color a picture of a Habitat home and family and then make it into a hat. When the tours died down in the early afternoon, the volunteer group enjoyed trying some time to play soccer, eat pizza, and chat. Erin Gladstone, Thrivent's regional marketing specialist, even got to enjoy a ride in the Big Red Truck as it relocated to the next days site.On Sunday, we had about 170 tour the truck from 9am-1pm. The "Big Red Truck" was a nice backdrop to the large white cross in the church yard at St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Some Sunday school classes enjoyed juice and trivia before going on a tour, the volunteers were enthusiastic, and well-dressed church-goers and confirmands seemed to enjoy the experience. We thought we were done giving tours when suddenly a group of 20 people emerged from the church at about 1pm and went on our last tour...so we ended the tour visits in Fort Wayne with one of our largest groups. | |
| | Thrivent Builds Mobile to Indianapolis, November 2006 |
From November 10-12, 2006, the Indianapolis Lutheran community was invited to tour this unique traveling exhibit, getting a first-hand look at why substandard housing is such a serious problem. With support from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis, viewers saw that we can all be part of the solution by helping families build simple, decent, affordable homes and achieve greater economic independence. Over 330 students, staff and parents at Lutheran High School in Indianapolis toured the Thrivent Builds Mobile on the school day on Friday, November 10. The following day, over 150 people toured the Big Red Truck at the Calvary Lutheran Church and School Holiday Bazaar in the parking lot at 6111 Shelby Street. The truck remained at the church for tours during the morning services on Sunday, November 12 at Calvary Lutheran Church. | |
| | Thrivent Builds Mobile to Cincinnati, November 2006 | | | The last Thrivent Builds Mobile visit in the Indiana Region was to Cincinnati on November 18-19, 2006. Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity helped host the Big Red Truck at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden on Saturday, November 18 in the Safari Camp parking lot. That weekend was the opening weekend of the Festival of Lights.Then on Sunday, the truck went to Loveland to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 101 S Lebanon Rd, Loveland for tours during and following the morning services. | 
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