RIVERDALE | Youth groups from three Illinois Lutheran churches hauled rocks, shoveled dirt and put up siding all day Saturday in an effort to do their part to see that three Habitat for Humanity homes in the village are finished by Thanksgiving.

Young people 15 and older came in groups from All Saints in Orland Park, Christ Lutheran in Orland Park and Good Shepherd in Frankfort to work at the homes located at 67 and 73 E. 137th St. and 13744 S. State St.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is providing the majority of the funding for the three homes.

Inga Theeke, director of member engagement for Thrivent, explained the importance of getting young people involved in what was called Youth Blitz Day.

"Our goal is that they have a chance to connect with the homeowners and understand why this is such an important program," she said.

The main focus of the volunteers Saturday was on the future home of Chantia Boxley on State Street.

The three churches that the youth groups represented, along with Trinity Lutheran in Tinley Park, Immanuel Lutheran in Mokena and Zion Lutheran in Tinley Park, have contributed financially and with volunteers to make that home their special project.

Boxley raked dirt in the front of her future home, along with youth group volunteers.

"It teaches them about the idea of helping," Boxley said. "I heard one of them say, 'I feel better about doing this than doing something and getting paid.'"

The future owners of the homes on East 137th Street also worked at Boxley's home, as electrical work was being done at their sites.

Danielle Jackson, who will reside in one of the homes with her daughter, felt that the Youth Blitz Day was an excellent idea.

"It gives them something to do, something positive," Jackson said. "You learn how to do something that a lot of people don't know how to do."

Sixteen-year-old Jennifer Seiler, of Mokena, came with the group from Good Shepherd, the church her friend attends.

She and 15-year-old Lauren Loies, of Frankfort, assisted each other in pushing a large wheelbarrow full of stones.

It was the first time that either girl participated in a Habitat project.

"It's a good way to hang out with your friends, but it's also a good way to give back to the community," Seiler said. "It feels good helping other people."