I am proud to be an Athlete Ambassador for Team for Tomorrow.  Team for Tomorrow is an ongoing humanitarian relief effort of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams that consists of donations, volunteerism, disaster services, advocacy and other relief contributions.

In May, Team for Tomorrow saw its first action in the donation of 1,000 disaster relief tents to victims of the devastating earthquake in China’s Sichuan Province that left approximately 5 million people homeless. Now, Team for Tomorrow is organizing Olympic and Paralympic athletes in a nationwide effort to assist families in need in the United States by donating service hours to Habiitat for Humanity.

Tomorrow is my first day to serve my local community by helping build a home.  I am fortunate to build on a project for two full days with my husband, Bob Cummins.  The following day, my father, Dave Mickelson, will take the hammer.  We are working with a group called, Together We Build.  This interfaith coalition, consisting of Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations works together once a year for the last six years on a habitat jobsite.

It is my hope that in my first Habitat build, I will make friendships and learn the ropes to help on many a build in the future.  In those future builds, I hope my fellow Olympians and local rowers in the area will join the efforts of Habitat for Humanity to give back to the communities that have given us all so much. 

If there is anyone who would like to get involved, please visit www.habitat.org/teamfortomorrow .  Join us as we give of ourselves to better out communities and ourselves.

Habitat for Humanity in the United States:
An estimated 5.4 million American households face worst-case housing needs, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Receiving little or no government housing assistance, these families are unable to find a decent place to live at a price they can afford to pay. 
    More than 1,500 Habitat for Humanity affiliates are at work in the United States, building houses in partnership with people in need of decent, affordable housing.  Habitat houses are purchased by families at prices affordable to low-income Americans, thanks to the donated labor of Habitat volunteers, the support of partner organizations and the no-profit, no-interest terms of every Habitat for Humanity mortgage. 
    Habitat for Humanity has helped change the lives of more than 30,000 American families since its first U.S. affiliate was founded.  Habitat affiliates build in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Each affiliate is an independent, locally managed organization which corrdinates local construction and selects partner families without regard to race, religion, or ethnic group.

Team for Tomorrow Athlete Ambassadors:

Cheri Blauwet    Paralympic Track & Field
Eli Bremer    Modern Pentathlon
Crystl Bustos    Softball
Corey Cogdell    Shooting
Anna Cummins    Rowing
Dave Denniston    Paralympic Swimming
Jennie Finch    Softball
Nancilea Foster    Diving
Matt Reed    Triathlon
Donny Robinson    BMX Cycling