Warren County Habitat For Humanity Celebrates One Year Anniversary Of Their Community Center

By Cathy Miller

April 6 marked the One Year Anniversary Celebration of the Grand Opening of the Warren County Habitat For Humanity Community Center at 31 Belvidere Avenue in Washington.

The philosophy of the WCHFH Community Center is to provide high quality programming to the youth, seniors, and Veterans of Warren County and their families. The number one goal of the Community Center is to provide “A Place of Purpose Where the Community Gathers Together to Learn, Grow and Thrive.”



The 12-hour event featured early and all-day ticket sales for Habitat’s upcoming Tricky Tray. It was a great time to sample some superb complimentary coffee from Community Blend Café at 384 Route 57 West in Washington, followed up by a rousing session of Zumba Fitness with Camee. Zumba, in its many forms, is based on exercising/dancing to upbeat, joyful Latin music.

More music followed with WCHFH’s Friday Night Open Mic Hosts Kevin McCann and Steve Kirchuk hosting Live Music at Lunch from 11 am to 1 pm. Sharing their talents with the lunch crowd were Rick Houston, “Avoiding Foreclosure” with Bob Dell Elba and Ken Purcell, Steve Kirchuk (joined by Bob Dell Elba on upright bass, and later, Kirchuk’s friend Ted Dillenkopfer on electric bass), and ending with a grand finale, which included all the featured performers, as well as Kevin McCann.



The afternoon sessions included Zumba Gold (a gentler, lower intensity version) with Sandy, Crafts for Adults and Children, and Dance Fitness with Miss Kayla.



Stan Cohen presented his Tai Chi/Qigong class to a nice sized group of like-minded folks. Cohen’s mantra is “Qigong works!” It’s the perfect exercise modality for mind and body. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and works the brain. It improves posture, focus/concentration, balance, organ health, and mood.

The day-long celebration ended with a DANCE explosion, by Zumba with Marina, and her stalwart pack of dedicated dancers. A far cry from the softer, gentler moves of Qigong or Zumba Gold, this version had participants sweating before they even started and laughing through the entire class.

The Community Center is available to members of the community for various functions. Direct all inquiries to Annette Beam, Event Coordinator at (908) 835-1300 x18, or email at annette.beam@warrenhabitat.org.

For an exhilarating evening of fun with friends, plan to attend WCHFH’s Tricky Tray on May 6 at Warren County Technical School. For a gala night out, consider attending Beams & Dreams on October 7 at Hawk Pointe Golf Club.

Find out more about Warren County Habitat for Humanity, and their work in the community to provide a “hand up” rather than a hand out, in the form of safe, affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families. Visit www.warrenhabitat.org.