Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Principal Financial Group to Dedicate Home
September 20, 2006 (Des Moines, Iowa)
When:
Friday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.
Where:
1924 Jefferson, Des Moines, Iowa
Parking is limited and available on the north side of Jefferson Avenue, Franklin Avenue or 16th Street
What:
Paul Diew and Kulow Deng and their seven children will be handed the keys to their future - and their new home - during a Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity home dedication. With The Principal® as the sole sponsor, the five bedroom ranch home was built over the summer with help from more than 300 Principal Financial Group® employee volunteers.
The Principal will also present the new homeowners with a term life insurance policy, a fitting housewarming gift during Life Insurance Awareness Month.
"As a writer of life insurance coverage for more than 125 years, The Principal understands the importance and peace-of-mind such financial protection provides," said John Aschenbrenner, president - insurance and financial services for the Principal Financial Group. "The Principal is providing life insurance coverage to the Paul Diew and Kulow Deng family to help protect them against the unexpected as they begin life in their new home."
For the Diew - Deng family, the dedication represents the culmination of a journey that began 12 years ago when they picked up their children and all they could carry and fled their native Sudan amidst the backdrop of a violet civil war.
Who:
- New homeowners - Paul Diew and Kulow Deng family of nine
- Lance Henning, executive director and Peggy Aguilar, director of Family Services with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
- Principal Financial Group senior management and executive sponsors for Habitat for Humanity project - John Aschenbrenner and Mary O'Keefe
- Principal employee volunteers
About Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity's 20th Anniversary
2006 marks the 20th anniversary of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity's building hope in partnership with the Des Moines community. The anniversary will be observed through the course of 20 celebrations throughout the year, including the dedication of the 13 homes to be completed in partnership with the community and the low-income families that will purchase those homes. 2006 will be the sixth consecutive year of record homebuilding for the local organization as it continues to grow through increased community participation in this unique and tangible local philanthropy.
About Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
Des Moines Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry which partners with the community to provide decent affordable housing for low income families. Faith communities, businesses and individuals provide the financial support and volunteer labor to build houses for qualified families who in-turn contribute their own 'sweat equity'. The home is purchased by the families for the value of the materials without charge for the volunteer labor or allowance for profit. Habitat provides zero interest financing for the home purchases. Home owner mortgage payments recycle to support the construction of additional homes. More information at www.gdmhabitat.org.
Contacts:
Mark Elliott, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, 515-471-8686, melliott@gdmhabitat.org; or Rhonda Clark-Leyda, Principal Financial Group, 515-247-6634, clark-leyda.Rhonda@principal.com.
