WESTWOOD, N.J.—Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County hosted Homes for Hounds on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Habitat ReStore in Westwood.
Habitat volunteers formed five teams and began building and decorating dog houses in mid-September. Friends of Habitat Bergen then voted online—$1 per one vote—for their favorite Home for a Hound.
Organizers told Pascack Press the initiative culminated in a safe, outdoor event on Saturday showcasing the finished products. The winning Home for a Hound was Team One, The ReStore.
Habitat Bergen auctioned off the dog houses to attendees. Team One’s doghouse also garnered the highest bid.
In addition to featuring the Homes for Hounds, Habitat Bergen invited the Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue organization to participate in the festivities and secure homes for several puppies and kittens.
Event partners included the McInerney Jansen Family Foundation, Conrad’s Confectionery, Westwood Veterinary Hospital, Elixir Kitchens, and A Bite of Heaven Catering.
The teams consisted of Teri and the ReStore, Habitat Greyheads (dedicated volunteer-retirees who lend their building skills to create a Home for a Hound), Habitat Greyheads (“more amazing talent from Greyheaded volunteers”), Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital, and Women Build!
(These ladies not only build onsite, they host DIY events and other fundraising events to raise important funds for Habitat Bergen.)
All proceeds from the event benefitted Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County’s project at 95 Sand Road in Westwood. Pascack Press reported on this in November 2019 at the project’s groundbreaking.
The Borough of Westwood cleaned up and conveyed the leafy property, adjacent to Hegeman and Westvale parks, by resolution Dec. 18, 2018 in part to help satisfy its obligation to provide for affordable housing pursuant to the Fair Housing Act.
Maureen Cameron, executive director or Habitat Bergen, said last week, “We have begun site work and we will welcome volunteers later this fall.”
She said of Homes for Hounds, “The event was a huge success on many levels. We’re particularly excited that our next build is right here in Westwood, and this event gave us the opportunity to raise funds, showcase our next project, and make more people aware of the fabulous finds in the ReStore.”
The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County is to provide decent, affordable homes for hardworking Bergen County families.
For more information visit habitatbergen.org or contact Cameron at (201) 457-1020 or mcameron@habitatbergen.org.