Morris Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore volunteers are very busy keeping up with hanging lighting fixtures.  Capitol Lighting’s four New Jersey stores had a “Making Lives Brighter” campaign in support of the ReStore earlier in the spring and now has a second collection campaign under way that started on June 1.  Customers can bring in their gently used fixtures and receive a 10% discount when they purchase new ones. 

 “More than three truck-loads of lighting fixtures have already been sold out at the Morris Habitat ReStore,” said Rick Ostberg, Director of the store.  Ostberg went on to add that, “recently the ReStore volunteers made another pickup, which brings the total lighting donations to over 100 fixtures, generating sales of over $3,500.   This program has kept the ReStore’s volunteers reorganizing the display area as new items are received.”

The revenue from the sales of items at the ReStore, newly relocated to 274 S. Salem Street in Randolph, near the Kmart Plaza on Route 10, goes to support the building of low income housing.  This year alone Morris Habitat will be completing 14 new homes in 4 municipalities, starting work on 10 new homes and doing home repair work on 10 more.

Capital Lighting strongly supports Morris Habitat’s mission of providing safe and affordable housing available to qualified families and individuals and in addition to the donations coming to the ReStore, they have also agreed to sponsor all the lighting needs for one of the new home building projects just getting under way.

Blair Bravo, Executive Director of Morris Habitat explains that, “these types of partnerships are very special.  We cannot express how much these mean to us, with so much involved in the many builds we have under way and in the works for the next few years.  Capital Lighting is a great example of the generosity of the business community.”

The lighting donations so far have had a very fast turn-over with sales being so brisk.  Jeannette Stein from Denville has been volunteering since last June, first just one day a week and now three days a week.  “Come join the ReStore volunteers because we can always use more help,” Jeannette encourages, “I’d be happy to help train anyone who thinks they would like to give us a try.  We’re always busy, but we have a great time knowing our work helps to actually build homes for so many families who need them.”  With the new larger facility, there is even more need for dedicated volunteers.  Hours are flexible and tailored to your schedule. No retail experience is necessary.

Find out more about Morris Habitat.  Learn how you can help with special projects, join committees, work at the ReStore, or build on a construction site. To get involved with Morris Habitat for Humanity, contact the Director of Volunteer Services, Ellen Eppie at 973-891-1934 or go to the Morris Habitat website at www.morrishabitat.org.
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About Morris Habitat for Humanity  

Morris Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing agency dedicated to providing decent, affordable housing for low-income families in Morris County and the surrounding New Jersey area.  Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Morris Habitat builds and rehabilitates houses in partnership with families in need.  Since 1985 Morris Habitat has served 235 households though home ownership opportunities, home preservation, and international home building programs. In addition, proceeds from our ReStore, opened May 2007, have built 6 homes and diverted over 2,000 tons of useable material out of landfills.  For more information about Morris Habitat call 973-891-1934  or visit www.morrishabitat.org.  To learn about the ReStore call 973-366-3358  or go to www.morrishabitat.org.