Habitat For Humanity, Bankers, Lauded For Sandy Rebuilds

Vicky Fattell is among the lucky ones, so to speak.

While numerous families throughout the Jersey Shore are still awaiting help rebuilding their homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy, Fatell, of Manasquan, is on her way to recovery.

Along with other damage, Fattell had several feet of water in the small Main Street house she had called home for two decades. It was a total loss, she said.

But with the help of Coastal Habitat For Humanity, powered by monetary and volunteer help from an association of 27 New Jersey banks, Fattell’s home is being rebuilt.

“They say when someone opens a door, God opens a window and that window is the Habitat (for Humanity),’’ Fattell said. “It really means a lot to everybody.’’

Fattell is among a dozen Shore Area residents who have or are having their homes refurbished or rebuilt with the aid of the two organizations, which held a conference Stockton Lake Park Tuesday morning.

Over the summer the two organizations teamed up to rebuild 12 homes in the area.

The NJ Bankers Association also donated $20,000 to help offset the coast of the rebuilds, or roughly $740 from each bank.

Bank employees also donated 1,500 work hours to get people back into their homes, according to Maureen Mulligan, executive director of Coastal Habitat for Humanity, a division of the national Habitat for Humanity organization.

“That is a phenomenal accomplishment,” Mulligan said. “At first, the numbers may seem a little low but if you look around at other agencies you will see that Coastal Habitat is in the lead.’’

Mayor George Dempsey, who attended the conference lauded Coastal Habitat for their work helping area residents resettle after the storm.

“And bankers, I’m glad you came up with the greenbacks and the labor,’’ Dempsey said. “It’s amazing what happened here, and I can’t thank you enough.’’

Prior to the conference, Fattell spent the morning at the Manasquan Inlet, watching the waves crash into shore and the boats pass by on a sunny and warm morning. She wondered whether she should sell her two-bedroom home or whether she should continue to wait to rebuild.

There was no real debate.

“All I want to do it get back into my home so I can enjoy the beautiful Manasquan area again,’’ Fattell said. “From my heart, and from the hearts of all the people who have been helped by the Habitat (for Humanity) thank you so much for all you.”