This NEW House — Members rebuild a home

Extreme makeover programs have nothing on Thrivent Financial members Bobbie and Robert Foote. The Footes tackled the renovation of a house slated for the wrecking ball without big-name celebrity endorsements or numerous corporate donations. Instead, they tapped into the good of their community and themselves.

The inspiration was a letter Bobbie read in the local newspaper written by a woman who said she had been mocked for collecting cans. What local residents didn’t realize, the woman wrote, is that the cans allowed her to buy clothes for her son.

Bobbie says, “I thought if we could get them started with a few outfits, that would really help. But then I realized there was so much more.” Bobbie found the woman and her family living in sub-standard housing and decided to find them something better.

After a passionate plea to the Rome, New York, city council, and thanks to a $1 price tag, a dilapidated home was Bobbie’s to transform with the help of Robert, a skilled construction worker. Add fellow Thrivent chapter members, community volunteers, the Foote’s Thrivent Financial Associate Rich Roth and $2,500 from the Thrivent Financial Care Abounds in Communities™ program, and the project was off and running in July.

“Everyone has been so supportive,” Bobbie says. “As Christians we have the opportunity to help others. The Lord has tugged at my heart to get more involved, and I’ve been so blessed.”

Putting it all together
Bobbie started off small, but the project soon took on a life of its own as others stepped up to make a difference in the lives of the woman and her family.

“People donated siding, appliances and labor,” she says. “Plus others gave significant discounts for building materials like lumber, cabinetry and plumbing. Still others raised money by holding bake sales. I just can’t get over the support we received.”

While Robert did a large amount of the labor, other volunteers and the family helped, too. Volunteers often gave up weekends and nights to work on the home so the family could move in for the holidays.

“This was a two-story, three-bedroom house that was going to be demolished,” Bobbie says. “It needed a lot of work. But it was worth it; we have helped change a whole family’s life. They have a home because of people’s generosity, it’s amazing.”

Bobbie also tapped into people’s “excesses” to help the family.

“A lot of what we received were things people didn’t need any more,” she says. “We were able to get a washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, couch and daybed this way. People have so much that some of it goes to waste. Instead of throwing these things away, this family was able to get a great start in their new home.”

A volunteer heart
Bobbie and Robert didn’t take on the project for recognition, but rather hope their efforts inspire others to take on projects to help others.

“If you want to have the best feeling in the world, help others around you,” Bobbie says. “I really encourage people to do more for each other. You can make a difference; make things better in the world. Even small things like reaching out to someone who is alone and lonely will make you feel really good about what you accomplished that day.”

—Tara Perre

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