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Neighborhood Revitalization at its Best!
When it seemed no one cared and all hope was gone, the citizens of Northern Ocean County were able to prove to Margie that despite all the things that have gone wrong in her life, there was plenty of goodness to go around as well! A few years ago, Margie's house had fallen into disrepair when the focus of her efforts were on taking care of her late husband. After her husband had passed, the bills and work became insurmountable and for Margaret, there seemed to be no solution.
Fast forward to a few months ago. Margie moved into a room at the house of Trudy when it was no longer possible to live in her home. Trudy was diligent in her quest to find help for Margaret and reverse her misfortunes. That help came when she put in a call to Northern Ocean Habitat. Well beyond the scope of anything done before in our Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative and ABWK, Suzan Fichtner did not bat an eye. Instead she rallied the citizens of not only Berkeley but of all the Northern Ocean County area to come to Margaret's aid, and come they did! Mayor Varano led the charge that started with cleaning up the yard - a task that was necessary before it was even possible to get to the interior work that needed to be done.
Next week, on Christmas Day, Margie will be making her first visit to her rehabilitated home.
Stay tuned to hear more about the progress of Margie's house and her reaction to the work that has been done thus far.
Part Two.... Margie Sees Her Home
On Christmas Day Margie witnessed her own little miracle when she saw her "new" home. For weeks she had heard about all the work being done by the volunteers on her behalf. She had been kept up to date on the new roof, picked out the paint color she wanted in her bedroom and was aware that new kitchen cabinets were being installed. None of the updates, however, could ever have prepared her for what she saw when she walked through the door of her home on Christmas afternoon.
Below are pictures that try to capture Margie's excitement and disbelief as she walks into her newly renovated home.
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It Takes a Village... As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The idea is that all people should do whatever is needed to raise a child to be a responsible adult. The same concept should be true when we see a neighbor in need. In the case of Margaret Todd, a whole "village" of generous people came together to give back to Margaret her home, her dignity and her future. Here are just a few of the people who made this amazing transformation take place: Thank you to: Jim Blair who volunteered to hang the gutters Tom Zimmerman of Allied Building
Products for supplying materials such as plywood, shingles etc. Marylynn Morris who donated
kitchen cabinets to Adrianne at Coastal Habitat who in turn donated the cabinets to NOHFH Joe Fitzgerald and Sons who provided and installed complete new gutters and leaders at no cost Toms River Door and Window for installing the new garage door Carpet Land (Bruce and Steve
Barrett) for installation of carpeting as well as kitchen flooring; material at cost all labor was free Roy, Susann, Shannon and Ryan Stapleton, Dana
and Jason Riker on behalf of Robert and Joan Mutone for their generous donation of $300.00 Schwabb Charitable Fund in the grant amount
of $1,000.00. This grant was made possible by the generosity of D. Roland and Joan Santomenna Robert Emmons – for his charitable donation
of $100.00 Eleanore and Edward Graf - for their charitable donation of $20.00 Mark Vannella of Berkeley Township Solid Waste
and Recycling for providing the dumpster and help with clean up Chris Lundy of the Berkely Times Hart Sastrowardoyo of the Asbury Park Press Sal Mattia of Mattia Building Contractors for
supplying a roofing contractor to remove and replace all rear sheathing and fascia and install a new roof for a discounted
price Neil Floor for repairing
electrical receptacles and installing new fixtures labor free ElectricianMark Bode of RJB Plumbing
and Heating for donating labor and most materials for new toilet and furnace ductwork John
Loblein for providing complete electrical inspection and report Berkeley Township Mayor Jason
Varano for moral support, help with clean up and waiving of permit fees Jersey Coast Appliance for
providing and installing a new gas range at no cost Reliable Tree Service for extensive
clearing of trees branches and shrubs at no cost Beachwood Glass Co. for reglazing 2 storm windows
at no cost NOHFH volunteers for countless hours of work Trudy Eyre Darryn Murdoch from Wells
Fargo Bank Dick Read and Suzan Fichtner of NOHFH |
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