MANCHESTER – The Pine Ridge Mobile Home Park was buzzing with activity one recent summer morning, as women wearing bright pink shirts replaced windows in a house.
This was part of Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program, where teams of volunteers from local businesses work together to help someone in need. This particular build was bolstered with nine people from Ferguson Home.
Lindsay Unger, showroom manager for the Ferguson Home in Lakewood, said they have been involved with Habitat for Humanity for over a decade, participating in various projects like Women Build and Veterans Build.
“We are replacing windows for this lovely lady,” Unger said. Besides the fact that they were leaking, old windows mean that it costs more to heat and cool a home. “This will definitely help her with her energy bills.”
Veronica “Ronnie” Girard said that she moved here from Debtford in 2020. The home has the original 1973 windows.
“It is so exciting, I’m thrilled,” she said, laughing. “Everybody is so sweet and they put up with me talking.”
Habitat has come to help her with multiple projects in the past, replacing aging floors. With Habitat, she doesn’t have to worry about having contractors come in and give estimates, or wonder if the work will be done right.
“You don’t know who to trust,” she said, noting there are some contractors who take advantage of seniors.
Kristine Novakowski, chief executive officer of the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, said they do a lot of home modification for aging in place. For example, they could convert a bathtub into a walk-in shower. “Ferguson donates that to us which helps us help more people.”
The Critical Home Repair program helps people who meet financial requirements to remain in their homes. Given the large percentage of seniors on fixed income in Ocean County, this program is crucial.
This year, there were 11 Women Build projects, up from last year’s seven, she said. This speaks to the willingness of people to help.
-Chris Lundy contributed to this story.
