Habitat for Humanity Monmouth celebrates 60th home dedication
Atlantic Highlands, NJ: On Thursday, November 3, Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County (HFHMC) dedicated its 60th home to Johnny and Melinda, and their three children.
The ceremony, which took place on a beautiful sunny morning, was attended by our partner family, Habitat staff, volunteers, sponsors, local government officials and community members.
Kim Stulb, President of HFHMC’s Board of Trustees, and HFHMC Executive Director, Diane Kinnane welcomed everyone, and thanked the many supporters and volunteers who contributed to the construction of the house. Stulb, a staunch supporter of affordable housing in the county, also represents longtime Habitat sponsor, T&M Associates.
HFHMC’s 60th affordable house, second two-family home in Atlantic Highlands
Country Commissioner Director Tom Arnone and Dept. Director Sue Kiley
Johnny and Melinda with Monmouth Arts artist Karin Trunz
Commissioner Sue Kiley, Former Atlantic Highlands Mayor Rhonda LeGrice, HFHMC Exec. Dir. Diane Kinnane
Rev. Jill Hubbard-Smith of the United Methodist Church
Atlantic Highlands Borough Administrator, Robert Ferragina
Atlantic Highlands Borough Council with Diane Kinnane and Kim Stulb
HFHMC Board of Trustees Member, Randi Zamkotowicz
Partner Family with Diane Kinnane, Kim Stulb and NJNG’s Tom Hayes and Jessica Eggers
Johnny, Melinda and their 3 children with Kim Stulb and Diane Kinnane
HFHMC Executive Director, Diane Kinnane
We were delighted to be joined by Atlantic Highlands BA Robert Ferragina, and all the council members: Brian Boms, Steven Boracchia, Jon Crowley, Brian Dougherty, Lori Hohenleitner, and James Murphy. Monmouth County Government officials, Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Sue Kiley were also present to offer their support and good wishes to the family.
Rev. Jill Hubbard Smith of Atlantic Highlands & Navesink UMC offered a blessing on the house and a Litany of Dedication.
Another longtime ally of affordable housing, New Jersey Natural Gas’s Tom Hayes,surprised Habitat’s Executive Director, Diane Kinnane, with a generous donation for HFHMC’s next project, a single family home to be built on Ideal Ave in Middletown.
Well-wishers and community members brought gifts for the family, including gift cards, supplies for the house and yard, and an original painting of the new home by local artist, Karin Trunz of Monmouth Arts. Former Mayor of Atlantic Highlands, Rhonda Le Grice presented the family with a gift card to local hardware store, Jaspan Brother’s.
“We are thrilled to be dedicating this home to such a deserving and hardworking family,” said Kim Stulb. “Welcoming a family home and giving them a safe and affordable place to live is such an important part of our mission.”
When selected, Habitat partner families participate in the construction of their new home or other Habitat programs and projects. Families are required to perform 200-375 hours of “sweat equity”, depending on family size, prior to closing on their homes. This partner family has broken all records with the number of “sweat equity” hours that they have completed and we cannot wait for them to be in their new home.
The family will purchase the home with an affordable, no-interest mortgage.
The lot was donated by the Borough of Atlantic Highlands. Since the project began in September 2021, more than 100 volunteers have worked alongside Habitat construction crew to complete the house.
The house is part of the “House that Rock Built” program which is a partnership between HFHMC and Beasley Media/95.9 Wrat. The program works to secure support for new affordable home construction in Monmouth County. WRAT 95.9 has partnered with HFHMC since 2015 to raise funds and awareness for HFHMC programs.
Teams from Alternate Ending Beer, Coastal Habitat, Columbia Bank of NJ, Europastry USA, Hillmann Consulting, Markel Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Park Church, Prodigy Search, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Tower Hill Church, First Energy Foundation, Geodis, Lowes, New Jersey Natural Gas, One Anchor (Old Castle), Resources Real Estate, T&M Associates, and Valley Bank all shared their time and skills to make the dream of homeownership a reality for this family.
About Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County
Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County is dedicated to having safe and affordable homes locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their living conditions.
For more information, visit www.habitatmonmouth.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Howell, Marketing & Event Coordinator chowell@habitatmonmouth.org / 732-728-0441 x310 (office)
