BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
Gail and Bruce Ampolsky show the mask they purchased that was hand-decorated and autographed by Bruce Springsteen.
FREEHOLD — The year 2004 is expected to see the construction of a "mitzvah house" in the borough.
Members of the Western Monmouth County Habitat For Humanity sponsored a Celebrity Mask Auction on Nov. 2 and said they raised enough money to build the house. Mitzvah means "good deed" in Hebrew. The house will be part of a six-home subdivision on Institute Street.
When the home is finished it will be sold to a working family that might not otherwise be able to afford to purchase a home. Habitat typically requires the family that is going to purchase the home to participate in its construction.
A typical Habitat home costs about $70,000. Habitat is expected to contribute $20,000 and the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County provided an $18,000 grant. A coalition of Monmouth County synagogues, Jewish schools and organizations was determined to raise the balance.
Evett Weiner, event coordinator
According to event coordinator Evett Weiner, the celebrity mask auction exceeded her expectations. It took place at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.
The event featured hand-painted masks and other celebrity items that were auctioned off. Contributing to the effort were Bruce Springsteen, former President Jimmy Carter, Gov. James E. McGreevey, Harry Connick Jr., Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, the late Buddy Hackett, Jon Bon Jovi, Mel Brooks, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Hornsby, Toni Braxton, Melanie Griffith, Antonio Banderas and Leslie Uggams.
Weiner described the event as "wonderful" and "beautiful." A craft fair was part of the day’s events and the coordinator said the variety of "upscale crafts and unusual items was very impressive." Works of art, articles of clothing and hand-painted greeting cards were just a few of the items on sale.
Food prepared by Branches in Long Branch helped to make the day complete. Weiner praised Elite Auction Service, Holmdel, for its help in pulling the day together, as well as auctioneer Joyce Becker from Soap Opera Festivals.
She said work on the "mitzvah house" in the borough should start in the spring.