Congressman personally thanks Valley volunteers
August 13, 2009
By Michael Rowe
Iulia Zavodov looks forward to the day she moves into her new home in Snoqualmie.
The Zavodovs are moving into a home in the Koinonia Ridge neighborhood that is being built by East King County Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
“We love this place,” Zavodoz said.
Congressman Dave Reichert visited the site of the Zavodoz home, and another being built for the Ramsey Family, on Aug. 7 to thank the volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The two organizations have partnered to help make the dreams of future homeowners like the Zavodov’s possible.
Congressman Dave Reichert speaks with the Zavodov familly at a site for a Habitat for Humanity home in Snoqualmie.
Outside their new home, the Zavodov family accepted an American flag from Reichert that had flown above the capital building in Washington, D.C. Reichert said that he hopes the Zavodovs’ will frame the flag and hang it in their new home.
The Zavodov family includes husband Vlad, son Nicolae, and a new daughter, Vera. They are originally from Moldovia and came to the United States four years ago, after winning green cards in a U.S. Department of Immigration lottery where 55,000 Moldovan residents out of 1 million applications received permission to immigrate.
The Zavodovs came with their young son — who is now a 5-year-old — a few suitcases and little money. The family currently lives in a one-bedroom apartment in Renton. Iulia Zavodov said that, last year, she found out she was pregnant at about the same time that the recession began to impact her family, limiting their income. Her daughter Vera was born earlier this year.
Outside of her new home, Zavodov remarked on how fresh the air in Snoqualmie was and how beautiful the scenery around their home is. They hope to move into the home in October.
Reichert said that he understands what a big difference having a home can make in people’s lives. He noted that the stability that a home provides would help the Zavodov’s and their young family.
“It makes a huge difference in ability and prospects for success in future,” Reichert said.
The two Snoqualmie homes are part of 11 homes being built in Washington state this year, and part of 313 homes being built nationwide by the alliance between Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity. In Washington state, 47 homes have been built since Habitat for Humanity allied itself with Thrivent. Beyond the $125 million funding commitment provided by the financial institution, Thrivent also works to engage members of the Lutheran community to volunteer to help build the homes. By the end of 2009 Thrivent estimates that it will help build more than 1,300 homes in the U.S.
Reach reporter Michael Bayless Rowe at mrowe@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434, ext. 248.
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