Hackettstown, NJ – Valentine’s Day is about showing love, and the Warren County Habitat for Humanity (Warren County Habitat) community certainly felt that love this year! The incredibly successful Have a Heart for Habitat Radiothon was held on Tuesday, February 14th and was hosted by WRNJ Radio in Hackettstown. The event focused on fundraising for two major programs: Warren County Habitat’s third ever Veterans Build, where a home is being built in partnership with an amazing Veteran family, and their Critical Home Repair program, a program that aims to keep existing homeowners in their homes safely and affordably.
The Warren County Habitat community came together not only to donate and support, but to share their stories on air. The event featured guest speakers like construction volunteers, Board Members, Habitat homeowners, and a key “founding” couple of the Warren County Habitat affiliate, Judy and Stuart Ours. The Ours’ helped write the initial application that granted Warren County Habitat official affiliate status in 1999. By sharing real stories from their community members, the organization aimed to inspire more people to volunteer, apply for repairs or homeownership, and become a part of the Habitat family themselves.
Former Executive Director Ben Eskow made an appearance and told a personal story of the love and support he received from Habitat. When he and his family were in a time of need, Eskow commented, “The people who fixed [my] roof were from Habitat, the general contractor was from Habitat, and people who provided meals were from Habitat. Very early on in my time with Warren County Habitat I got to feel that blessing and gift first-hand. It was unbelievable. It really changed my life forever.”
Because of how large an impact Warren County Habitat has on people’s lives, the organization is even more grateful for the community coming together on Tuesday and showing their support. In total, over $30,000 was raised for the Critical Home Repair and Veterans Build programs.
Keary Riddick, the recipient of the third Veterans Build home that is currently under construction, was also able to speak about her Habitat experience on air on Tuesday morning.
Afterward, she gratefully commented, “If what you are missing in your life is a sense of purpose or belonging, then I would urge you to stop by [Warren County] Habitat for Humanity and become part of the most amazing camaraderie that truly exists.”
Keary’s home is expected to be completed this summer, and the Critical Home Repair program has completed six major repair projects with more in the works. The support Warren County Habitat received from Have a Heart for Habitat will help the Veterans Build home to be more quickly and efficiently constructed, and will help serve more Warren County homeowners with repairs that could affect their health or safety. Warren County Habitat for Humanity is incredibly grateful to WRNJ for hosting their event, and to all the supporters and donors who are helping build homes and hope in Warren County.
If you or someone you know is a homeowner and needs repairs, please visit www.warrenhabitat.org/programs/critical-repair to see if you qualify for the Critical Home Repair Program. To support the Veterans Build project and other work Warren County Habitat for Humanity is doing in your community, feel free to visit their website at www.warrenhabitat.org.
