12-03-2008

SCORE

Third Day broke ground today in Nashville for its first Come Together Tour-sponsored home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).

The home is being built in the Rainwood Community, a multi-family development in association with Affordable Housing, a division of the Mayor's Office, and Metro Nashville Government. When completed mid-June, the home will belong to Yvonda Nixon and her family. Nixon, who is employed by Tennessee State University in the Cooperative Extension Program, is excited to be able to move from a poorly maintained apartment located in a high-crime neighborhood to a safe, stable living environment.

"I thank God for Third Day and Habitat, they are a tremendous blessing," says Nixon, who celebrated her birthday today following the groundbreaking event. "We have praying for a home for a couple of years now, but I kept the faith in God because through him all things are possible."

Nixon and her four children, Tiffany, 18; LaRico, 17; Stacey, 14 and Leejay, 13 will soon have a home to call their own. Yvonda's mother, Dorothy Stem, will also be moving into their new Habitat home. Working together to make the new home a reality, the children are working to help pay bills and save for the closing costs. Yvonda and her family members are also pouring their "sweat equity" into the home, working on the home as it is being built.

"What an incredible experience to be a part of this groundbreaking," states Third Day member Mac Powell. "Spending time with Yvonda and her family and learning about their need make all this effort worth the time and energy. Together with our fans support, who are really making all this possible, we are humbled to be able to be a part of Habitat for Humanities mission to help deserving families like Yvonda's."

Nixon's home will be one of eight homes Third Day has committed to build worldwide. The build also marks the 15th Anniversary of home-building by the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) affiliate.

"We are grateful to Third Day, not only for their financial contribution and manual labor, but also for the awareness they have generated for the Habitat mission," said Trish McClanahan board member for the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity. "In a community known as Music City, this Christian rock band has made us all aware of the enthusiasm celebrity can bring to a cause. Our Habitat community is blessed by Third Day's efforts."

A special speaker present at the groundbreaking event was Gospel Music Association President Frank Breeden. "Third Day represents one of the leading artists in our Christian music industry," noted Breeden. "It's not insignificant that the name of their album, Come Together, is a metaphor for what is happening here today. We see representatives from all walks of life who are coming together to make an important statement that everybody deserves a place to live, a place where they can be free from danger and the elements. Yvonda's mom stands here and says that it has been my dream to have a home. Thanks to God, Habitat for Humanity and Third Day for helping to make this possible."

In addition to Nashville, Third Day will build homes in South Palm Beach, FL, and the band's hometown of Atlanta, GA. Third Day has already raised more than $100,000 to date on its current Come Together Tour for HFHI to build the homes. As the blockbuster event of the season continues to be the best-selling tour in all of Christian music, additional funds for HFHI are being raised with every added ticket sold. To date, the 53-city tour has sold out 24 concerts and performed in front of more than 143,000 people. After tonight's concert in Nashville, that number jumps to well over 150,000 as more than 16,000 fans pour into the AmSouth Amphitheatre.

Through its partnership with HFHI, the band is also encouraging its fans to become socially aware of the many people who need shelter worldwide and is providing an opportunity for them to help through volunteer efforts. Third Day is actively involved in recruiting volunteers for each of the construction sites, as well as helping with some of the building themselves. Anyone interested in volunteering in the Nashville area are encouraged to contact the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity office at 615-254-4663, habitatnashville@habitatnashville.org.

Pictured above: Third Day presents a $50,000 check representing a portion of the proceeds from the band's Come Together Tour to the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity and Yvonda Nixon. The monies will be used to build Nixon's Come Together home in the Rainwood Community of Nashville. Pictured (l-r) are: David Carr and Tai Anderson, Third Day; Trish McClanahan, Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity; Nixon; and Mac Powell, Mark Lee, and Brad Avery, Third Day.

Pictured below: Third Day members join future home owner Yvonda Nixon for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the band's first Come Together Tour sponsored home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).