OCEAN COUNTY – When Superstorm Sandy touched down, there were volunteer groups ready to put boots on the ground to help those affected the most.
The Northern Ocean Habitat For Humanity looked back on the 10 years since that fateful weekend and the horror that followed. Locally, the Ocean County Planning Board estimated that more than 25,000 people in Ocean County were still displaced a year later.
In partnership with Compass 82, Habitat restored 60 homes damaged by Sandy through funding from grants, including an $80,000 Wells Fargo grant: six Berkeley homes, nine Brick homes, three Jackson homes, one Manchester home, two Point Pleasant Beach homes, one Point Pleasant home, four Seaside Heights homes, two South Toms River homes, 27 Toms River homes, and four Ocean Gate homes.
“Words cannot express the sadness and despair that we witnessed as our neighbors lost everything,” said Suzan Fichtner, who was Northern Ocean Habitat’s Executive Director during the time when Sandy hit. “A home holds our treasures, our memories, our photos, our belongings only to be swept away forever. Yet out of the rubble, we witnessed the best of humanity! Strangers became friends, neighbors cared for neighbors, businesses shared their resources, nonprofits created a collaborative recovery and heroes came in the form of ‘Care-A-Vanners’ and stayed for weeks upon weeks rebuilding homes and hope for all of us. I am proud to have been a member of the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group! Together, we created a recovery plan that worked for everyone!”
As the years went on, the focus changed from disaster relief to critical home repairs. As long as there is a financial need, they would provide work such as roofing, plumbing, flooring, and more. Another program would upgrade a senior’s house with ramps or other modifications to make sure they can age at home.
“Superstorm Sandy exposed the need for critical home repairs for those in need in our communities,” said Kristine Novakowski, Northern Ocean Habitat’s current Executive Director. “The connections and partnerships we created during this time increased our capacity to where we are today; serving over 50 families per year with our critical home repair programs.”
“A decade after Superstorm Sandy, we continue to remember those whose lives were upended, and we are grateful for all those who came together to help families rebuild their lives,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. This group drove 24 vans from Atlanta to New Jersey to help.
If You Need Help
For more information about Northern Ocean Habitat’s programs, such as Home Preservation, Housing Plus Aging in Place, A Brush with Kindness, and Veteran Repair call 732-818-9500 x 102 or visit northernoceanhabitat.org/.
Habitat has a program where they provide new homes to families in need. By partnering with families in need and local contractors and municipalities, they have built 21 homes. Check out their website and social media to keep abreast of their application windows.
If You Can Help Others
If you have the time or resources to help Habitat for Humanity, and are looking for ways to make life easier for your fellow residents, there are a few things you can do.
Shopping at the ReStore located at 1214 Route 37 East in Toms River helps support their mission.
Volunteers, sponsorships, and donations are always welcome at northernoceanhabitat.org/.
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