Business Editors, Religion Writers

APPLETON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2000

Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), with the assistance of its national volunteer network, will help 37 families in 26 states fulfill the dream

AAL is providing $740,000 through its Building Hope, Building Homes program to 37 Habitat for Humanity International affiliates for building or remodeling projects. Grants of $20,000 are being awarded.

AAL volunteers, with the help of community organizations, raise additional funds needed to build or remodel the homes. They also provide volunteer construction help. The current cost of a three-bedroom Habitat house in the United States averages $42,500. Prices differ slightly depending on location and land costs, professional labor and materials.

&uot;It's part of AAL's fiber to make a difference in people's lives,&uot; said Dale Keltner, manager of the AAL Building Hope, Building Homes program. &uot;AAL is proud of its nine-year relationship with Habitat for Humanity affiliates.&uot;

AAL has invested $5.2 million in its Building Hope, Building Homes program since 1991. By year end, AAL will have helped nearly 300 families nationwide fulfill the dream of home ownership through Habitat for Humanity.

AAL, a Fortune 500 organization, is a fraternal benefit society of 1.7 million members who are joined together for insurance, education and volunteer opportunities. AAL members are organized into more than 10,000 local volunteer groups, called branches, throughout the country. They meet regularly to carry out a wide variety of volunteer efforts to help themselves and their neighbors and to undertake projects to improve the communities where they live.

Habitat for Humanity International, founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the partner families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable, no-interest loans.