(Marietta Daily Journal, August 18, 2018)
Staff reports
SMYRNA — The Lutheran Coalition, founded in 1993, is celebrating 25 years of partnership with NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. The Coalition, comprised of 11 North Atlanta Lutheran churches, brings together volunteers from Lutheran churches to build homes and fundraise in support of these efforts.
The Coalition is committed to eliminating substandard housing in the area by working with two Habitat for Humanity affiliate organizations — Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and North Central Georgia Habitat for Humanity. According to Coalition chairperson, Don Snyder, Coalition volunteers have accumulated about 20,000 hours and built more than 30 houses over 25 years.
“Building these homes is hard physical work, but we love doing it because we know that we are helping give deserving families the only chance many of them will have to own their own home,” Snyder said.
The Coalition sponsors an annual fundraiser “The Taste of Habitat” where more than 50 talented volunteer chefs from member churches cook for attendees. This year’s event will be held Sept. 21, at the Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta. Last year, the event raised a record $27,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships and the silent auction.
“We are incredibly grateful for this dedicated coalition of volunteers and their longstanding commitment to the cause of affordable housing,” said David McGinnis, NW Metro Atlanta Habitat President and CEO.
For more information about the Coalition and the Taste of Habitat event, visit www.lutheranhabitat.org or contact Wayne Smith, the Coalition for Habitat’s media coordinator at waynesmi@bellsouth. net or 404- 514-4236.