Posted 1/15/2010 NOHFH Is Proud to Announce Their First Global Trip to Guatemala Community is so much more than geography or boundaries. It is defined by relationship, by common experience, even the simple desire to share with those in need, regardless of where they live. A sense of global community within Habitat for Humanity is built in part by the affiliate tithe -- the sharing of a portion of an affiliate's resources with Habitat's work in another country. Habitat tithes represent so much more than funding. The tithe is a point of contact that transcends boundaries and provides practical real-time support for thousands of building projects around the world. In addition to tithed funding, relationship building between partner affiliates is an invaluable component. It picks up the threads of understanding we build within our own community and weaves them into the greater whole of the global community. Through tithing and “putting a face on it”, we embody the change we seek to see and be in the world. Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity embraces their tithe commitment as a privilege, an opportunity to build with families beyond the immediate community. As a part of our covenant with Habitat for Humanity International, NOHFH is committed to Global Solidarity and to Habitat Guatemala in particular as its tithing recipient. NOHFH is proud to announce that a team will be making their first Global Village trip to Guatemala on February 6th – 14th. The team traveling to Mexico represents all aspects of the Northern Ocean affiliate, including its Executive Director, Board President, 3 Board members, campus chapter members including 2 students from Monsignor Donovan High School, a student from Ocean County College and Brookdale College as well as a community member. We support them in their efforts to bring the mission of NOHFH to the people of Guatemala. We look forward to pictures and stories about their experiences. POSTED 10/1/09 With balloons and spirits flying high, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity held its first annual flea market on Saturday, September 26th. Hosted by the local High School chapters from Monsignor Donovan and Manchester High School, the students spent the day setting up tables and selling items to the hundreds of customers who stopped by. The Monsignor Donovan chapter is supervised by Dennis Gallagher, head of Christian Services and chapter advisor. Manchester High School’s chapter advisor is teacher Joe Gawlick. Both men were at the Toms River Restore right along with their students pitching in to make the day run smoothly. The day was exceptional for many reasons. First, the collaborative efforts of the high school chapters, store volunteers, board volunteers as well as the staff of NOHFH brought a sense of solidarity and community on behalf of the Habitat mission. Secondly, the day was an opportunity to educate the community about Habitat. It also made it possible to refresh merchandise in our ReStore. It provided our store customers with the opportunity to meet and greet our new store manager Maryann Purpuri. And most importantly, it gave the teens in the High School chapters the opportunity to focus on the belief that one person can make a difference. The huge success of the day was due to the efforts of these giving students particularly the chapter presidents Tyler Krenck from Mon Don and Caitlyn Grimaldi from Manchester. NOHFH looks forward to many more community events in the future.