By Mel Fabrikant Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 01:15 PM  EDT, from Paramus Post

Habitat affiliates in Bergen County, Morris County, Newark and Paterson Announce Dates for Week-Long Event

As the days get longer and the trees bloom, what better time to make sure you have everything you need for your Jersey Road Trip. Maps, sunglasses, cooler… circular saw. Representatives from Habitat for Humanity International’s Cars for Homes program and four northern New Jersey affiliates of Habitat for Humanity announced dates today for the Jersey Road Trip, a week-long event that will be the highlight of Habitat’s car donation program in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.

From May 3-7, Cars for Homes program representatives will be on the road to build homes in partnership with low-income families in New Jersey. Their Jersey Road Trip will stop at each of four Habitat for Humanity work sites in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties. In addition to pounding nails and hanging drywall, the Cars for Homes work crew and their hosts will aim to raise awareness of the Cars for Homes matching grant program.

Now through June 30, Habitat for Humanity International will provide a matching grant of up to $100,000 from Habitat’s Cars for Homes program, doubling the value of any vehicles donated to one of Habitat’s four northern New Jersey affiliates.
Vehicles from zip codes in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties, as well as donations made by phone when the donor specifically asks for the funds to go to one of those Habitat affiliates, will count toward the matching program. Donors should call 877-277-HFHI to arrange for pick-up, or they can give online at www.carsforhomes.org.
The Jersey Road Trip will culminate in an event called ”Wheels for Deals” at the Morris County Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlet. The resale outlet program, like the Cars for Homes program, allows people to make tax-deductible donations of construction materials, appliances, cabinets, furniture and other household items, which are used to support local Habitat for Humanity affiliates.
Supporters of Habitat for Humanity throughout New Jersey and the New York Metro area are invited to attend the celebration at the Morris Habitat ReStore in Mine Hill, just off Route 46 at 102 Iron Mountain Road.
Information about Habitat for Humanity and how to get involved will be available. Representatives from the Cars for Homes program and the four affiliates involved in the Jersey Road Trip will be on hand.
The Jersey Road Trip schedule:
• Tuesday, May 3 – Build at a Morris Habitat for Humanity site in Summit
• Wednesday, May 4 – Build at a Habitat for Humanity Newark site in Essex County
• Thursday, May 5 – Build at a Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County site.
• Friday, May 6 – Build at a Paterson Habitat for Humanity site in Passaic County.
• Saturday, May 7 – Celebrate the conclusion of the Jersey Road Trip with ‘Wheels for Deals’ an event at Morris Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, the largest Habitat for Humanity home goods resale store in the area.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.Habitat.org.