June Kreutzer is one of the hardest working and most respected volunteers in our organization. Below June explains, in her own words, what it means to her to be part of the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity family.

       I became part of Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity quite early in the beginning of the affiliate's life. I was new to the area and fairly new to retirement and was looking for a way to continue to be productive and use the skills I had gained from my many years as a nurse at a Junior High/High School nurse. When finding out about this new affiliate, I chose to join Family Support Committee. It fit in with the association I had working with families.

     I served on the Board of Directors for six years, being Secretary for two years and President for two years as we went through some growing pains. I was able to see the scope of Habitat around the world. We can't solve all the world's problems but we can bring to that one family (now 500,000) in the world a simple, safe comfortable home that they would not, under other circumstances, be able to have. We in Northern Ocean are just beginning our 13th home. That new Jersey, one of the highest per capita income states in the country, schooled have families living in such substandard conditions is shameful. I like being part of the solution. I've come to know all of our families and know that through the efforts of lots of volunteers hay have a lovely safe affordable home.

    Our newer program A Brush With Kindness is so important. We can help folks who own their own homes but can't, for financial and physical reasons, take care of that home. We can go and do critical home repair and weatherization to make their lives more comfortable. The involvement in Habitat energizes me, allows me to be a part of making life a little better for families that are struggling.

     Over the years I have learned so much and become friends with so many wonderful people as our mission has grown. I had never worked in a store before and now I lend a hand in the ReStore from time to time. I could have never believed that I would ever have been helping build homes in the mountains of Guatemala with the Mayan people. Certainly never considered putting that on my "bucket List" - but what a great experience that has been. I feel a vested interest in that country. Last year I took my 17 year old grandson with us. It was an eye opening and life changing experience for him too.

     I don't know where this last third would be without Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity but I am really grateful that it found me and that the friends I have made here have become such an important part of my life.