To many who have lived through these five years, it may seem that the time has gone by so very quickly, but much effort has been expended by a number of individuals and organizations to bring Habitat for Humanity of Atlantic County to this particular point in its history.

February 1998 marks the five year anniversary of the affiliation of Atlantic County Habitat with Habitat for Humanity International. The roots of the organization actually go back a few more years to a group of concerned local clergy and a preliminary organization did a rehab project in Pleasantville. As the original group became less involved, many of those who were so crucial to the success of Habitat came on board. The real building of this pre-affiliation period was that of the organization itself with the writing of by-laws and the completion of the extensive affiliation procedure required by international. At last, aIl was complete, and affiliation was granted in February of 1993.

Habitat has as its goal the elimination of poverty housing from the earth! We do this, of course, by building homes in partnership with families. Following is a brief description of our projects over the five years.

Our first "baby" this house was a rehab in Mizpah, Hamilton Township.  It is an older two story with three bedrooms and one and a half baths. We worked on it between April of 1993, and March of 1994. This was the longest time for any of our projects and is explained by our need to stop often to raise additional money! Homeowners were Sarah Frierson Armstrong and her son Kentel Frierson.

After the success in Mizpah, we were ready for a "new" challenge, and his was it.  Located on North Michigan Ave. in Atlantic city, this is a two story, three bedroom home that like all of our subsequent projects was all new "stick built" construction. Money was a concern on this house too, and we were helped along by loans from Board Members and others that were promptly repaid, sales of our house pins, and a partnership with the Miss America Organization. Construction took slightly less than three months, and today it home to the Tracey Britton Family.

In June of 1995 we made our presence felt in Pleasantville with a three bedroom rancher at First and Lake. Linda Bowser and her three daughters moved in that September.

Begun on Halloween 1995, this four bedroom rancher saw many beginnings for us. It was the first of what will be at least four Habitat homes on the 1900 block of Caspian Ave in Atlantic city, and it was the beginning of a six house, three year partnership with Caesars Atlantic City Casino and the CRDA. For the first time in our short history, we were able to build without concern for raising funds to build. Our partnering family is Christine Mitchell and her five daughters.

In April of 1996 we went next door to the Mitchell home to build our largest house ever, a five bedroom, two bath rancher,  home to Mary Jefferson and her six grandchildren.

All of our houses are special, but this one celebrated the special relationship between Habitat and the religious Community.  We designated this as our first local "Interfaith House." One third of the cost to build was raised by churches and synagogues. This project was started in September of 1996, and was finished the following June. On July 1^st, Marsha Beverly and her family moved in.

It was a cold morning in April when we began work on the future home of the Williams Family. We were back on Caspian Ave. across from the Mitchell residence. Homeowners Marc and Lashan were busy as well, and their fourth daughter was born in August! The enlarged family was in their new home in time to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Built in conjunction with the Williams house, this two story, three bedroom home is located on Indiana Ave. Construction began in May of 1997, and as promised, the Ward Family moved in just (barely) in time for Christmas.

The concept of building partnerships is a s central to Habitat as is building homes. There have been too many excellent partnerships over the past five years to mention all of them here, but several stand out…

Miss America 1994 chose as her platform housing issues. This made a joint venture between the pageant and Habitat a natural; we were building just a few blocks from Convention Hall where the pageant is held. On a memorable day in September of 1994 forty five contestants arrived on the Michigan Ave site and for a frantic but wonderful two hours they painted, hammered and planted. Of course the media was there and we benefited from both local and national coverage. Wayne Walker who later became President of Habitat International was on hand to represent the national Board of Directors. This was one day we did not have any difficulty in attracting volunteers! Joint fundraising projects with the pageant raised several thousand dollars as well.

Through their S.H.A.R.E. foundation, the Realtors supported us with a generous financial pledge, introduced us to one of our most important fund raisers, the house pins, and partnered with us on three yearly Art Auctions at the Rams Head Inn. The exact dollar amount of this is not available, but likely exceeds $45,000! And that's not just "pin money!"

In 1996 Hamilton Mall began a seven month project with us that saw events such as the "Haunted Restaurant" and a car raffle raising nearly $30,000. We were appreciative of their hard work and expertise!

This is the big one! Beginning in September of 1995 Caesars entered into a partnership with us to financially sponsor six homes over three years for a total commitment of $300,000. This was applied to their obligation to the Casino reinvestment and Development Authority (CRDA.) Additionally Caesars provided opportunities for their employees to volunteer, made many lunches for us during building "blitzes," and provided their public relations expertise. The CRDA involvement continues with the new partnership of Tropicana which was finalized in 1997 and begins next year.

A number of events and activities have been held in an effort to become an integral part of the community, to have fun, and/or  to raise money!

Two religious based concerts were held including the Gospel concert in December 1994 featuring  homeowner Sarah Frierson and her many siblings.

Held in Pleasantville in 1993 and 1994 these fun events provided much needed cash for a new and struggling organization.

Several Christmas seasons we used sales tables at Shore and Hamilton Malls to both raise money and awareness of the mission of Habitat

A Habitat tradition, we officially celebrate the sale of each home to the family, present a Bible, and have a great time.

First held in Pleasantville in May of 1997, the purpose is to present Habitat to the neighborhoods in which we build.

Held each September beginning in 1995, these are an annual event encouraged by habitat International. They have been held at Epiphany Lutheran in Pleasantville Beth Israel in Northfield, and Jethro Memorial Presbyterian Church in Atlantic city where the service was combined with a walking tour of the Habitat homes in that neighborhood.

First held in 1996, these annual January events celebrate the successes of our group and those who make it all possible in an enjoyable social setting.

Habitat for Humanity has its roots as a Christian ministry, and we celebrate an interfaith tradition, with support from a wide spectrum of religious communities. Through our "Covenant Congregation" program a number of churches and synagogues have kept a close and regular relationship with Atlantic county Habitat through financial and other support, and most especially, prayer.

We have been blessed with talented and dedicated Board Members and Officers over these years. Our Officers have included presidents Bob Rothouse, Charles Bryant, Jasper Reeves, Jeff Light, Todd Miller and Ken Groome. Vice president included Rev. Alexandra Lusak, Janie Libbie Ken Prescott and Jim Ehrhardt. Serving as treasurer were Lilia Batz, Don Hamer, Ken Groome and Bob Sobkow. We have only had two secretaries, George Fischer and Holly Payton.

Professional leadership included our first (and so far only) Executive Director, Don Hamer, and Building Managers for various projects Russ Konrady, Jim Connelly, and Bob Surace.

We look for much of the same love, success and joy of the past five years, and even more in the future. It has been hard work, but there is so much satisfaction.