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Habitat For Humanity Volunteers Bring ‘Magic’ To Township Family

Obiora Okagbue, in white t-shirt, puts in some equity sweat as he helps build what will eventually become a wall panel in his new home, built by Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.


Part of the Rutgers Plaza parking lot on Easton Avenue was turned into a construction zone Oct. 12, as Habitat for Humanity volunteers started working on a new house.

This was the second time that the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity has paired with radio station WMGQ (Magic 98.3) for “The House Built With Magic” program, said Laura Rawlins, the Raritan Valley chapter’s director of development and marketing.

Volunteers from sponsoring companies spent time Oct. 12 – as others will on Oct. 13 – building wall panels for teh house which will eventually be located on Howard Avenue.

Rawlins said this house is the 53rd Habitat house built in Somerset and Hunterdon counties, and the 23rd built in Franklin Township alone.

Rawlins said the house will be completed sometime around the start of next year.

“It takes us that long because we use community support to build the houses,” she said. “Some things we sub-contract, but mostly it’s community support.”

Obiora Okagbue, who will eventually live in the home with Anita Fredericks and two sons, said the experience “has been an incredible dream.”

“I didn’t believe there were actually people who would do that for you, especially in these days, but I thank God that I met up with Habitat for Humanity,” he said.

“So far it’s been wonderful, wonderful people,” he said. “They take all their time, their energy and their experience and they come to help.”

“It means so much to me and my family,” Okagbue said. “We’re going to build a home where I can bring up my kids. We love the environment, we love the people and I’m so grateful to God for that.”

Also sponsoring the event were Stop & Shop, Magyar Bank, Ashley Homestore, Aaron Kitchen & Bath Design Gallery, garden State Community Bank, Central Jersey Fence, Lattanzio Lumber Co., Preferred Party Rentals, Adamsville Maintenance Inc., The Lowell F. Johnson Foundation, IBEW Local 102 and Somerset County. Venus Jewelers presented a gift.

 

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