(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 hosted its most recent home dedication on December 11, 2022 at its Pittston property. The dedication included a blessing of the new home, the giving of the keys to the new homeowner, and an award reception for volunteers that made an especially large impact in the past year.

Those who were a part of the homebuilding process and friends and supporters of the homeowner were in attendance.

After the new year, the Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity build team will relocate to begin a new project in Nanticoke.

(Lehman, Pa.) The 13th Annual Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride for Habitat took place on Sunday, May 15th in Lehman, Pennsylvania. Each year, the Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride for Habitat honors Spencer Martin’s lifetime devotion to Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity.

The bike ride began at Penn State Wilkes Barre and wound its way through 35 miles of the scenic Back Mountain. Plenty of returning and new riders joined the bike ride this year.

All proceeds from the event directly benefited Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity’s mission to eliminate poverty housing in the Wyoming Valley.

(Lehman, Pa.) Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity will host its 13^th Annual Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride for Habitat on Sunday, May 15th. Spencer Martin was a long-time devoted volunteer and member of Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors whose charitable volunteer work continues to inspire us today. Beginning at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus at 9:00am, cyclists will ride to raise money to continue Habitat’s effort to eliminate poverty housing in the Wyoming Valley. The 35-mile BIKE ride winds its way through the scenic Back Mountain.

Visit www.bikeforhabitat.org for more information

(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.

(Wilkes-Barre)-MotorWorld Toyota recently presented a $5,000 grant award to Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity. The charitable contribution will help fund Habitat’s current home build in Pittston that will house a local, low-income family. Through donations and volunteer labor, Habitat is able to build and sell homes to partner families on terms they can afford. Presenting the check on behalf of MotorWorld Toyota was Rick Osick, president, MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup.

From left, Rick Osick, president, MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup; Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director, Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity; Mary Beth Allen, volunteer coordinator, Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity

(Pittston, Pa.) Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity recently presented Habitat Hero awards at a home dedication in Pittston. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the local Habitat chapter was unable to host outside volunteers due to health and safety concerns. The Habitat “regulars”, consisting of a six-man skeleton crew, were permitted to continue to work on the home. Because of their continued volunteer work, Habitat was able to maintain important deadlines throughout the home renovation on Market Street in Pittston. Habitat created this award specifically to show the volunteers gratitude for their commitment to Habitat and its mission to provide homes for low-income families in Wyoming Valley.

From left, are Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director, Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity; Mike Kordek, Ed Price, Eric Woelfel, Ron Pazdziorko, Jim Trunzo, and Bill Mulligan.