Following the success of last year’s Have a #HeartForHabitat Radiothon, Warren County Habitat for Humanity (Warren County Habitat) was invited to host a second Valentine’s Day event with WRNJ this year! 2024’s event focused on Warren County Habitat’s Home Repair Program and 25^th Anniversary, featuring guests such as Jaiden Fischer, future Habitat homeowner; Kathy Halpin, Board President; Mabel Kubelis, Habitat volunteer and Home Repair recipient; and returning guest, current Habitat homeowner and Army Veteran Keary Riddick.

From volunteers, to homeowners and home repair recipients, to supporters from other local organizations, the 2^nd Annual Have a #HeartForHabitat Radiothon not only raised over $16,000 for the organization, but brought so many members of the community together through one similarity: their experiences with Habitat for Humanity.

Warren County Habitat Director of Development, JJ Norment, played the role of guest host during the six-hour event from 9am – 3pm on February 14. Jaiden Fischer, future Habitat homeowner and single mother to her young son, Jedrek, spent some time at the studio with JJ sharing her Habitat experience.

As a Habitat for Humanity homeowner, 250 sweat equity hours must be completed before one can officially finish their program. These hours can be completed at any Habitat for Humanity volunteer site but are most often performed at the construction site of the homeowner’s future home.

“It’s an amazing experience to be able to put in your 250 hours of sweat equity,” JJ Norment commented.

When asked about the progress being made on building her home, Jaiden explained, “We’re nearing the end of the insulation, so after that [we’ll] begin the sheetrock and that’s when it all kind of comes full circle!”

Warren County Habitat was especially grateful this year for on-air conversations with Mark Valli of NORWESCAP, Arnold Hyndman of NAMI Warren County, and John Whitehead and Annamaria Lalevee of The Arc of Warren County. Their perspectives allowed listeners to understand the inner workings of the many Warren County non-profit organizations, and how when they band together, amazing things can happen.

As always, Warren County Habitat would like to thank the team at WRNJ for supporting and hosting this event. For more information or to support the work Warren County Habitat for Humanity is doing in your town, visit them online at warrenhabitat.org. You can also tune into WRNJ during the last Wednesday of every month at 9:10am for our monthly segment, Habitat Happenings.

About Warren County Habitat for Humanity Warren County Habitat for Humanity is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, International and has served Warren County since 1999. An accredited 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, Habitat’s vision is a time where everyone in Warren County has a decent place to live. Habitat’s mission is, “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.” To learn more about Warren County Habitat or to donate, visit www.warrenhabitat.org.