Zion Lutheran Church - Habitat for Humanity 15K Run/Walk

Update on Habitat's 15K Run/Walk
in Point Clear and Fairhope

     "Fifty million dollars! That's what Thrivent has committed to Habitat for Humanity's building project efforts. Our Baldwin Lutherans are well on their way for a Baldwin Habitat for Humanity Build project," Ned Owens reported to Zion Lutheran Church's "Men's 710" group at its September breakfast and speaker fellowship meeting, "and we will be tapping into a small piece of that fifty million. All twelve Lutheran churches in Baldwin County are involved with the 15K run set for October 27, 2007, and will each operate a water station for runners." The 9.3 mile race called a 15K run will supplement Thrivent's 65% funding of a new home to be built by Lutherans for a family needing shelter. The Lutheran version of Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County and Thrivent Financial are teaming to build a home for a "qualified" family. "Building takes dollars. We are working on a grant application now, we are starting to qualify a receiving family now, and we are on track to begin building in February '08. (We are one of five Southern Thrivent chapters submitting a grant proposal.) When Thrivent comes through AND with proceeds from our 15K Run, the money will be there to see our first building project through."

     Lutheran Habitat for Humanity in Baldwin County's Ned Owens, updated "Men's 710"on the "Habitat for Humanity 15K Run/Walk." The certified 15K event is scheduled for October 27, 2007, in Fairhope and Point Clear as a fund-raiser for a "Lutheran Habitat Build" project for a family in Baldwin County.

     There is more to support than just water stations along the run route. Lutherans will be involved in a pasta dinner the night before in Fairhope. The actual race will commence on October 27, 2007, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope at 8:00 and will "end" there for runners after they have run to Point Clear and back. Awards for top male and female runners will be presented on an Overall, Masters, Grandmasters, and Senior Grandmasters levels. All registered runners will receive the event tee shirt, of course, an item also available to members of the public for this event. "Those tee shirts are a big component to our fund-raising, and we need Lutherans of the area to buy and wear them as they cheer runners along the route"

     The "Habitat for Humanity 15K Run" is coordinated by John D. Stieber, Race Director. Pre-registration will be $19 for adults and $14 for children with Race Day registration being $24 for adults and $19 for children. Non-runners are urged to support this fund-raiser by registering for a shirt, even if they will not run in the race. Initial sponsors of this project include Compass Bank, Malbus Corporation, the Daphne Sports Academy, Thomas Hospital, Wal-Mart, and Springhill Travel. Registration forms and information are available from John Stieber at 251 689-8340.

Habitat for Humanity 15K Run/Walk

     "We Lutherans are working together in a Habitat for Humanity Build project," John Stieber told the Zion "Men's 710" group at its August breakfast and speaker fellowship meeting. "There are twelve Lutheran churches in Baldwin County and each will be involved." He was talking about a 9.3 mile race called a 15K run. "Lot's of people can't do 15K, but we plan a 'Two Mile Fun Run/Walk' for those folks." The Lutheran version of Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County and Thrivent Financial are teaming to build a home for a "qualified" family. Building takes dollars. "And this is a big fund raiser for the project," Ned Owen offered. Ned was an early "spark plug" for this project.

     Ned Owen, Lutheran Habitat for Humanity advocate (l), and John Stieber, Race Director for the Lutheran event, presented the vision for the "Habitat for Humanity 15K Run/Walk" to the August meeting of Zion Lutheran Church's "Men's 710." The certified 15K event is scheduled for October 27, 2007 in Fairhope and Point Clear as a fund-raiser for a "Lutheran Habitat Build" project for a family in Baldwin County.

     Lutherans will be involved in a big way. There's a pasta dinner the night before in Fairhope. October 27, 2007, the race will begin at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope at 8:00 and will "end" there for runners after they have run to Point Clear and back. Awards for top male and female runners will be presented on an Overall, Masters, Grandmasters, and Senior Grandmasters levels. All registered runners will receive the event tee shirt, of course, an item also available to members of the public for this event. "Now think about this," Ned said. "The Lutheran Churches of the area will have water refreshment stations along the running way and there will be cheers to encourage the runners!"

     The event is called the "Habitat for Humanity 15K Run" with coordination by John D. Stieber, Race Director. Pre-registration will be $19 for adults and $14 for children with Race Day registration being $24 for adults and $19 for children. "Those dollars will build in Baldwin County," Stieber volunteered. Initial sponsors of this project include Compass Bank, Thomas Hospital, Wal-Mart, and Springhill Travel. Registration forms and information are available from John at 251 689-8340.