Lynbrook Residents Start Habitat for Humanity Chapter

A new chapter of Habitat for Humanity was recently created by a number of local volunteers.

Austin Bilello and his parents, Holly and Richard of East Rockaway, recruited a number of juniors to lend a helping hand to others in need. On Saturday, March 31 at 7 a.m., the group of about 20 gathered in front of the high school to take a pilgrimage out to Brentwood.

The family that the Lynbrook chapter was supporting on this rainy morning was a sincerely grateful single mom named Roesha and her three school age children. The group arrived promptly and were first instructed by a representative from Habitat and then the home owner had an opportunity to tell her story. The teens quickly got started and worked hard through the afternoon hours.

“I was happy to help her out,” Paul Felix said.

The main focus of the day was putting up vinyl siding on the exterior of the home as well as hanging insulation on the inside of the home. The students all felt that the day was both satisfying and rewarding.

The group hopes to gather every year to help out other families in need. They have been invited back for the ribbon cutting ceremony when Roesha’s home is completed.

“It was a great experience,” Michael Cantanno said.

Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-governmental, non-profit organization devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing. Their mission statement is to "seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action”. Homes are built using volunteer labor and are sold at no profit.

The following juniors participated: Alexandra Brittman, Lauren Caliendo, Matthew Campbell, Michael Cantanno, Noah Chrein, Conor Dorney, Matthew Fernez, Paul Felix, David Gralitzer, Leo Mackey, Julia Marrandino, Michael Pearsall, Sydney Sullivan and Christy Tuzzio. Holly Bilello, Richard Bilello, Sean Campbell and Geraldine Dorney all served as chaperones for the day.

If you are interested in finding out more information or volunteering for Habitat for Humanity please go to their website.