Coastal Habitat for Humanity (CHFH) would like to thank The Allstate Foundation for their generous support of our Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts in Southern Monmouth County. Almost 18 months after the storm, Coastal Habitat and supporters like The Allstate Foundation continue to help families restore their homes and rebuild their lives. As a result of the Foundation's "Good Hands Fund Sandy Recovery Project," a program to help local nonprofit organizations with their recovery efforts, CHFH received a very generous grant to subsidize Sandy recovery projects. This grant has provided resources to assist 10 families residing in Neptune and Manasquan.
In addition to their financial support, more than 100 Allstate New Jersey employees volunteered over 1,000 hours of their time to repair homes included in this project. They attended training sessions to prepare them for their construction work and to maximize their time and skill level for the restoration projects. At the August 28th Good Hands, Good Friends, Stronger Communities event held in Manasquan, Allstate New Jersey agents, employees, and family members gathered to celebrate the contributions of The Allstate Foundation in support of those affected by Superstorm Sandy.
The Allstate Foundation has a 60-year history of helping people to overcome personal challenges and uncertainties. Over the years, they have assisted thousands of individuals and families, leading them to a safer, more secure, and improved quality of life. On behalf of Coastal Habitat for Humanity and all the families that have benefited from The Allstate Foundation's grant, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your most generous contributions of time, talent, and financial support.
Homeowners Assisted by The Allstate Foundation - Read their Stories
Darago Family
"How do you thank volunteers who have given up time - hundreds of hours - with their own families to help my family return to our home?" - Vincent Darago
Prior to Hurricane Sandy, Vincent had been living with his wife and son in his Manasquan home for eight years and was taking care of his elderly mother. The storm brought three feet of water into the Darago's home, completely flooding their first floor. In addition to the stress caused by the damage left behind, Vince sadly lost his mother shortly after the storm.
The repairs to the Darago home began by gutting the entire first floor, forcing the family to live on the second floor for an entire year. With no kitchen, they used an outdoor grill for cooking and also relied on the generosity of local churches.
With the Darago's home close to completion, Vince is "in awe" of the improvements and is very grateful to Coastal Habitat, calling it's supporters "a Godsend."
Antman Family
"I still can't believe what they did! Ollie came in, and we were in our house before Christmas." - Kelly Antman
Coastal Habitat for Humanity heard the Antman's story through Neptune Township and was compelled to offer their assistance. Hurricane Sandy flooded their home with 4 feet of water, right up to the kitchen counters. The first floor was completely destroyed, and the family lost all of its furniture and clothing. Their home, in Kelly's words, looked like someone had taken a dollhouse and shook it.
Kelly and John Antman, a Medical Assistant and Police Officer respectively, are accustomed to giving back to the community and helping those in need. As they began the process of identifying types of assistance available to victims of Superstorm Sandy, John and Kelly were turned away time after time.
Coastal Habitat reached out to the Antmans in October of 2013 to let them know we wanted to help. After rounding up volunteers, including Coastal Habitat's very own staff during the first Staff Build Day, the Antmans were able to return to their home just in time for Christmas.
The collaborative efforts of the homeowners, Coastal Habitat staff and volunteers, and the generous support of donors such as TheAllstate Foundation, made it possible for the Antmans and others to celebrate a very special holiday season.
Special Thanks to our Generous Supporters
Coastal Habitat for Humanity would like to thank all of our supporters for their generous financial contributions, volunteer hours, resources, and supplies.
The Allstate Foundation
Lowes
American Red Cross
Monmouth County Division of Workforce Development
Carnival
Robin Hood Foundation
Celebrating Home
SalesForce Foundation
Citibank Foundation
State Farm
Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund
TD Bank Charitable Foundation
Your financial support is still needed. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to help us continue to assist those affected by Hurricane Sandy and local families in need.
Click below to donate or contact us via phone: 732-974-2422; or mail:
200 Highway 71, Suite 3, Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Our Impact
Coastal Habitat has worked on and continues to work on a total of 31 homes in Southern Monmouth County since Superstorm Sandy, which has impacted 108 individuals. An additional three restoration projects are about to begin
CHFH maintains collaborative relationships with local & federal officials, area nonprofits, businesses, churches, families, singles and seniors to restore communities from Ocean Township to Manasquan, including the hardest-hit areas of Belmar, Neptune and Manasquan
Coastal Habitat has mobilized and leveraged the skills of more than 1,000 volunteers since Hurricane Sandy, (and the number keeps growing!). These individuals donated over 10,000 hours of their time to repair homes, restore communities and rebuild lives.
...And we can do even more with your continued support. Make a contribution or sign up to volunteer today to help Coastal Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to restore the shore!
Volunteer Spotlight
Why I Volunteer...
Karen started volunteering for Coastal Habitat three years ago. She enjoys working with her hands and wanted to find an organization that would give her the rewarding feeling of helping people. She also has a beautiful and personal story of how she first became interested in volunteering:
"My daughter was killed at Virginia Tech on April 16th, 2007 and when I retired, I had the opportunity to do something in her memory and in the memory of the thirty-one others who died that day. They were young people who wanted to make a difference in the world, and I felt if they weren't here to do that, I would do what I could. I knew this would be something for which my daughter would smile down on me.
"I've found that what little knowledge I have is appreciated, which is nice. I've learned so much more than I had hoped I would. I wasn't sure how things would work, whether I would be stuck pushing the broom or using the nail gun...well, I've used the nail gun and it's been very rewarding! Everyday can be different. I enjoy doing all the tasks, whether it is framing or putting in a window or the inside work such as painting or sheet rocking; it's all great stuff. It's a nice feeling of accomplishment. Sometimes I go home very tired, but it's a good tired. It is difficult to put into words how much volunteering for Coastal Habitat for Humanity means to me; it means a lot. It is a good thing to do, and it leaves me with a good feeling."
Please join volunteers like Karen and commit to volunteering in 2014 -- and bring a friend! Coastal Habitat has a volunteer role for everyone, no matter the skill set. Please complete the Volunteer Skills form now and our Volunteer Coordinator will be in contact with you.
We have many different groups who volunteer for Coastal Habitat. We extend our deepest gratitude for their contribution of time and talent. Thank you to the following groups who have volunteered for Coastal Habitat in the past year:
The Allstate Foundation
Novo Nordisk
Americorps
Paterson Habitat for Humanity
First United Methodist Church
United Healthcare
Monmouth County Jr. League
Upsher Smith
New Jersey Bankers Association
Wells Fargo
Meet the Staff
Duane Hershberger, Deputy Director
Duane brings nearly twenty years of Habitat for Humanity experience to his Deputy Director role at Coastal Habitat where he works with community development, family services and volunteer management. He earned a Master's in Administration from Georgia Southwestern University and holds other certificates including Harvard's Executive Leadership Certificate and Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy Fundraising Management. One of the many highlights of Duane's Habitat involvement is leading an annual Global Village team to Central America. Duane lives in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife, Ruth. In his spare time he restores their 125 year old home and dabbles in songwriting. Duane frequently performs his music at coffee houses in the Philadelphia area.
Thank you, Duane, for all that you do for Coastal Habitat!
Save the Dates!
May 10, 2014
Annual Women Build
Asbury Park, NJ
Join Coastal Habitat and The Missionaries of Charity
Coastal Habitat for Humanity's 20th Anniversary Celebration
Manasquan River Golf Club
Manasquan, NJ
More details coming soon!
Coastal Habitat for Humanity
200 Highway 71
Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762
Are you wondering what to do with that old car sitting in your driveway? Why not donate it? Donating your vehicle is simple. Click the banner below for more information!
...And we can do even more with your continued support. Make a contribution or sign up to volunteer today to help Coastal Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to restore the shore!
Karen started volunteering for Coastal Habitat three years ago. She enjoys working with her hands and wanted to find an organization that would give her the rewarding feeling of helping people. She also has a beautiful and personal story of how she first became interested in volunteering:
"My daughter was killed at Virginia Tech on April 16th, 2007 and when I retired, I had the opportunity to do something in her memory and in the memory of the thirty-one others who died that day. They were young people who wanted to make a difference in the world, and I felt if they weren't here to do that, I would do what I could. I knew this would be something for which my daughter would smile down on me.
"I've found that what little knowledge I have is appreciated, which is nice. I've learned so much more than I had hoped I would. I wasn't sure how things would work, whether I would be stuck pushing the broom or using the nail gun...well, I've used the nail gun and it's been very rewarding! Everyday can be different. I enjoy doing all the tasks, whether it is framing or putting in a window or the inside work such as painting or sheet rocking; it's all great stuff. It's a nice feeling of accomplishment. Sometimes I go home very tired, but it's a good tired. It is difficult to put into words how much volunteering for Coastal Habitat for Humanity means to me; it means a lot. It is a good thing to do, and it leaves me with a good feeling."
Please join volunteers like Karen and commit to volunteering in 2014 -- and bring a friend! Coastal Habitat has a volunteer role for everyone, no matter the skill set. Please complete the Volunteer Skills form now and our Volunteer Coordinator will be in contact with you.
We have many different groups who volunteer for Coastal Habitat. We extend our deepest gratitude for their contribution of time and talent. Thank you to the following groups who have volunteered for Coastal Habitat in the past year:
Duane brings nearly twenty years of Habitat for Humanity experience to his Deputy Director role at Coastal Habitat where he works with community development, family services and volunteer management. He earned a Master's in Administration from Georgia Southwestern University and holds other certificates including Harvard's Executive Leadership Certificate and Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy Fundraising Management. One of the many highlights of Duane's Habitat involvement is leading an annual Global Village team to Central America. Duane lives in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife, Ruth. In his spare time he restores their 125 year old home and dabbles in songwriting. Duane frequently performs his music at coffee houses in the Philadelphia area.
Thank you, Duane, for all that you do for Coastal Habitat!