(Nanticoke, Pa.) Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity has announced the opening of its new ReStore location at 825 East Main Street, Nanticoke!

The local ReStore first opened in 2005 in a 10,000-square-foot building it leased at 421 W. Main St. in Nanticoke. The new location is in a newer 14,000-square-foot building that WVHFH purchased following the closure of Noble Furniture.

All proceeds go toward helping Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building and renovating homes for low-income families to purchase on terms they can afford.

(Pittston, Pa.) During its most recent home dedication on December 11, 2022, Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity also recognized the recipients of four volunteer awards. One of these awards is coined the “Golden Hammer Award” and, this year, Jim Zarra was the recipient.

The Golden Hammer Award recipient demonstrates exceptional commitment to help further the mission of Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity. Earlier this year, the Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore underwent a move to a new location. Jim assisted with the move every step of the way. His dedication to this process was unwavering and inspiring, thus making him a deserving recipient of the award.

Jim currently sits as the Vice President on the board of directors for Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity.

(Pictured from left to right are James Zarra and Kelly Bray.)

(Pittston, Pa.)Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity recently presented the 2021 Golden Hammer award to Joe and Sharon Cosgrove and George and Lynn Cosgrove at a home dedication in Pittston. The Golden Hammer Award honors those who have shown exceptional commitment to help further the mission of Habitat. Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity honored the families with this award for the donation of their family home. Over the past year, Habitat volunteers worked to restore the home for a local, low-income family to purchase on terms they can afford.

The family homestead has been in the Cosgrove family since the mid-1800’s and is rich in family history. The former Luzerne County judge said in a prepared release, “The home was always a place where people felt welcome. It has a history of our ancestors taking in people and giving them a place of comfort, a place to share, a place to visit anytime they wished, even a place to live if they were in need.” Cosgrove added, “Our mom and dad instilled in us the duty to give back as repayment for all that has been given to us. The donation to Habitat was the best way we could honor their legacy and the history of this home. We hope the next occupants will be able to create a history just as rich, warm and welcoming as we have enjoyed.”

Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director of WVHFH said, “Their generosity will allow a local, low-income family to become first time homeowners and help Habitat revitalize local communities.”

From left, are Jill Pentangelo, Sharon Cosgrove, Joe Cosgrove, and Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director of WVHFH.

(Pittston Twp., PA)-Joe and Sharon Cosgrove along with Joe’s brother, George, and George’s wife, Lynn, recently donated their childhood home to Habitat.

On Saturday, Joe and Sharon toured the home that has been being restored since August to see the progress. Joe recalled, “The home was always a place where people felt welcome. It has a history of our ancestors taking in people and giving them a place of comfort, a place to share, a place to visit anytime they wished, even a place to live if they were in need.” Cosgrove added, “Our mom and dad instilled in us the duty to give back as repayment for all that has been given to us. The donation to Habitat was the best way we could honor their legacy and the history of this home. We hope the next occupants will be able to create a history just as rich, warm and welcoming as we have enjoyed.”

(Wilkes-Barre)-Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity received a $5,000 grant award from MotorWorld Toyota to help fund its current home restoration project on Market Street in Pittston Twp. The donation will help a local, low-income family achieve first time home ownership. Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds or restores simple, decent homes to sell to families in need in Wyoming Valley. Habitat families are selected based on level of need, willingness to become partners in the Habitat program, and the ability to repay a no-interest mortgage. For information about Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity, call 570-820-8002 or email info@wv-hfh.org. First row, from left, are Jay Thomas, sales manager, MotorWorld Toyota; Rick Osick, division president, MotorWorld I MileOne Autogroup; Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director, Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity; Mary Beth Allen, volunteer coordinator, WVHFH; and Sean VonPoppe, sales manager, MotorWorld Toyota.

Dear Friends,

Please join us as we kick off The Pittston Project. The city of Pittston has welcomed us into the community with the donation of land on East Oak Street. The Pittston Project will provide a home for a local family who might otherwise not be able to achieve the dream of homeownership. Please consider joining your friends and neighbors with a contribution to help The Pittston Project.

A Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity house costs $65,000 to build, is about 1100 square feet in size, and has three bedrooms.  We use volunteer labor and charitable gifts to ensure our homes are affordable to low-income families in Wyoming Valley. This home will also be restored to the tax rolls, making a difference right here in the community.

WVHFH knows that good housing is the key to helping a child turn into a productive adult who, in turn, helps strengthen our community. Our tried-and-tested partnership lets families become part of their own housing solution. Of course, these homes are not handouts. Each family will contribute hundreds of hours of “sweat equity,” working side by side with our experts and volunteers to help build, then buy their own home on terms they can afford.

Thank you for helping Habitat build homes…and hope.

Donations for The Pittston Project can be made by clicking the donate now button! Thank you for helping Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity improve local communities one Habitat home at a time!