Volunteers and deejays from Greater Media’s 95.9 WRAT work together to build a section of a future house during “The House That Rock Built” project held by the WRAT and Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity in the Monmouth Mall parking lot in Eatontown on Oct. 8. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR Greater Media radio station 95.5 The WRAT and Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity joined forces with more than a dozen local sponsors and volunteers to help build the dream home of a local family in need.
Elizabeth Reyes, a supervisor for MOCEANS, Center for Independent Living – an agency that cares for physically and mentally disabled individuals – said that in the home in Long Branch her family has resided in for the last two decades, she and her daughter have shared a bedroom since she was a toddler and her son sleeps on the couch in a living room that does not have a door.
“There’s truly no place like home and I feel that we’re really blessed to have the support that we have gotten from everybody,” she said at “The House That Rock Built” event Oct. 8 held outside the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown.
“My daughter and son now will be able to have their own rooms and have their own privacy.”
Reyes said that she rented the family’s Long Branch residence and finding a new home has been a struggle.
“There’s a specific guideline to how much you can make when you fill out an application,” she said. … “and no matter how many things I have tried in the past, it just never worked because I was making too much money in their eyes.”
Searching online, Reyes said she came across the Habitat for Humanity website and felt that her prayers had been answered.
“I don’t know if God spoke to us, but I went online and I went to Habitat for Humanity and I was reading up on everything and that same day they were accepting applications,” she said.
“So I applied and within a month I got a call that someone would be coming to my home to interview me and my family and maybe a week later we got a call saying we got approved.”
Reyes said her family was chosen out of 30 applicants.
“I never owned my own home … so I just can’t believe the outcome … it is just amazing,” she said. “It is a great honor to partner with Habitat for Humanity … this means so much to me and my family.”
The three-day “The House That Rock Built” event took place on Oct. 8 to 10 at the Monmouth Mall where volunteers helped frame walls for the Reyes’s new three-bedroom home, which will be located on Center Street in Freehold Borough.
“Several months ago, one of our senior account executives asked for a meeting and [The House that Rock Built} was a very laid out and involved plan she had,” said Dan Finn, senior vice president/regional general manager Greater Media New Jersey.
Greater Media radio station 95.5 The WRAT is one of the partners in the Habitat build. Greater Media Account Executive Kristine Novakowski said she has worked on this type of event in the past and thought there was an opportunity to bring the event to Eatontown.
“We’ve been talking about it probably since early January of this year,” Novakowski said. “When I came to the WRAT, I just knew that with our audience and our advertisers it was a great fit … and I had a lot of support.
“It’s an idea, but it is only as good as those who help to implement it and this is a hard-working team.”
“Some people think it is a little odd that a rock station gets involved in the community like this, but it couldn’t be any further from the truth,” Carl Craft, WRAT program director and morning show host, said.
“Rock ’n’ roll has always been about community. As far back as Woodstock it was about the community of people who showed up to the show and these days … it is all about the community of people you meet at shows, at fan club events, at meetand greets.
“So that’s why … we always try to jump in and say we are more than just rock ’n’ roll parties and concerts and backstage events and are always here to provide for the community in which we broadcast.”
Several local officials also lent their support to the cause.
Eatontown Mayor Dennis Connelly said he is pleased the borough could host the event.
“This is such a great event, we’re so happy to host and I hope that in the future we can actually have one of these homes built here for a family in our town,” he said.
Raymond Gabler, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, Monmouth County, said that could be a possibility as the nonprofit continues efforts to help those in need, including those affected by superstorm Sandy.
“Sandy hit us three years ago and we have been very active,” he said. “We are told by Habitat International that we have been the busiest Habitat affiliate in New Jersey.”
“We’ve helped approximately 100 families get back into their homes since the storm and that includes critical home repairs, elevations and new home builds.
Gabler said within the past two years, the nonprofit has completed seven new homes
“Before the storm we were at a pace of one new home a year, we’ve completed seven homes in two years and so we are really proud of that,” he said. “Building a home you’re helping to strengthen and make a difference in the community.”
Local sponsors helped to make a difference by donating funds, supplies and manpower to the build, including: Monmouth Mall; MINI of Monmouth; Home Point Financial; Kearny Bank; First Atlantic Federal Credit Union; ABCO; Mitsubishi Electric; Seaview Orthopedic & Medical Associates; DCH Freehold Nissan; KRFC-Kitchens Baths & Floors; Surf Taco; Wells Fargo; All Star Fence; Fortified Roofing; Preferred Party Rentals; Russo Gutters; Amboy Bank Foundation; T&M Associates; and Ocean First Foundation.
“One of the things that I like most about Habitat for Humanity is that it … lets you make a difference in one family’s life,” Craft said. “We are blown away … by the support the business community is lending this project.”
Finn said “The House That Rock Built” is a positive for all involved.
“Overall this is an absolute win-win across the board,” he said. “Everyone wins -the Reyes family who receive their dream home, the partners, and the sponsors.”