From June 20, 2007 issue 1,000 homes...and counting Local southside residents Doug Hoeferkamp, Erin Gladstone and Kelsey Peterson, from left, help build a Habitat for Humanity house during a recent trip to New Orleans. Southsiders help organization build houses along gulf coast Southside residents Erin Gladstone, Doug Hoeferkamp and Kelsey Peterson recently joined Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans on a home-building trip to New Orleans and celebrated as the walls were raised on the 1,000th and 1,001st homes in the Gulf Coast. The homes help low-income families affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The three local residents participated in the vast rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast by spending a week in New Orleans on a Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip. They also discovered how much work still needs to be done. "I was surprised to see so much destruction paired with so much hope in New Orleans," said Gladstone, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans employee in Greenwood. "We were able to be part of the huge rebuilding effort led by Habitat for Humanity and we made new friends who share the volunteer spirit." The team made up of 16 Thrivent Financial members from across the Midwest met for the first time as a group in April and took a tour of the Katrina-ravaged city of New Orleans. During the week, the members were able to spend five days doing exterior home construction on three different New Orleans-area Habitat for Humanity homes in the Ninth Ward. The need is great in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast as the area tries to rebuild its future. "I really feel changed through this, and can put the daily grind in much better perspective," said Hoeferkamp. "It was more than just an emotional experience &emdash; it was an opportunity to really make a difference. I'm looking forward to another trip and to making an impact locally." A work team of 16 Lutherans from across the Midwest descended on New Orleans' Ninth Ward and helped build the 1,000th house for families affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The Spotlight Publishing Company 4217 S. Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46217 Office: 317-788-4554 • Fax: 317-788-4570 E-mail: spotlightads@indyweb.net

From June 20, 2007 issue • 1,000 homes...and counting Southsiders help organization build houses along gulf coast • Flag gala at Garfield Park • Iron Angels fly into Indy By Fred D. Cavinder, Spotlight correspondent • School group gives $100K By Keith A. Brown, Spotlight correspondent • Hoosier Hysteria! Local students pay tribute to famous people from Indiana • Arts & Entertainment Page • Pick of the Flicks (Movie review) By Jenny Heron   • Looking Back Spotlight staff • Another Time - Another Place By Anna-Margaret O'Sullivan • Coz' Corner By Jerry L. Cosby • Reality As I See It By Denise Summers, Spotlight staff • Sports Page