<\/p>\n
PITTSTON \u2014 It was an emotional day for an area family getting a chance to create a brand new, safe, modern home for single parent Hailey and her four children. It\u2019s a new beginning filled with so many possibilities moving forward for the family.<\/p>\n
Tears were flowing when friends, volunteers, donors, community leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate the dedication of a new Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity home and officially welcome the family into their new home.<\/p>\n
The new chapter for this family of five, through the efforts of Habitat for Humanity and the many donors was built though hard work, perseverance and the generosity of the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, you are the guest of honor at this celebration,\u201d Habitat Executive Director Kelly Mulhern said. \u201cTomorrow, this is your home. This will be your forever home, a place to build memories, celebrate your own traditions, enjoy quiet moments together, and most importantly, have the feeling and stability that really can only be offered by turning the key in your own door, walking into your own house, and knowing that you are home.\u201d<\/p>\n
The home, Mulhern explained, was made possible through a unique partnership involving the family, volunteers, donors and community organizations.<\/p>\n
Habitat families are selected based on need, ability to pay and willingness to partner in the process. Once selected, families contribute hundreds of hours of \u201csweat equity\u201d working alongside volunteers to build their home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not a handout, it is a hand up,\u201d Mulhern stressed.<\/p>\n
Hailey\u2019s mentor, Marie Donnelly, recalled Hailey joining the project relatively late in the process but immediately demonstrated the dedication needed to make the dream a reality. She regularly worked Saturdays at the house, often bringing her daughter, who became quite comfortable using power tools.<\/p>\n
According to Donnelly, Hailey missed only one workday and ultimately exceeded Habitat\u2019s required 200 hours of sweat equity.<\/p>\n
Donnelly also praised Hailey\u2019s other children for the sacrifices they made while their mother worked on the house. Special recognition also went to Hailey\u2019s mother who helped care for the family and handled responsibilities behind the scenes so Hailey could be at the construction site.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is an example of hard work, dedication and grace under pressure,\u201d Donnelly said of Hailey.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of the ceremony, Father Brogan Ryan offered a blessing for the home and the family who would live there. He spoke about the importance of a home as a place of love, respect, growth, rest, shelter and laughter.<\/p>\n
He also blessed the front door, asking that those who entered and left the home would be surrounded by God\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n
Following the blessing, Donnelly presented Hailey with the keys to her new home, along with a few gifts, including new pots and pans and a pantry goods for the children.<\/p>\n
Awards presented by Habitat<\/p>\n
The ceremony was also a celebration of those who helped make the house possible.<\/p>\n
Four special awards were presented to individuals and businesses whose contributions went far beyond the ordinary.<\/p>\n
Marley Mullery Zbierski was honored with the 2026 Gottfried Csala Award for her leadership as former chair of Habitat\u2019s Family Selection Committee.<\/p>\n
Her organization and attention to deadlines helped keep the project on schedule and contributed to securing the funding necessary to complete the home.<\/p>\n
City of Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo received the 2026 Herm Shiplett Award recognizing his and the City of Pittston\u2019s service and commitment to Habitat and the community.<\/p>\n
He noted that the property had once been the site of a deteriorating three-unit structure that eventually was demolished before the city partnered with Habitat to transform the vacant property into a new home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important street,\u201d Lombardo said, \u201cHousing is very important to me and I\u2019m at the second phase of my career where I\u2019m thinking of things I really want to do and housing is a priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lombardo spoke about the importance of housing and the city\u2019s continuing partnership with Habitat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis site became a problematic situation, so we demoed it, sat on it for a while, and we were able to partner with Habitat,\u201d Lombard added. \u201cI just want to thank everybody at Habitat. I want to continue this partnership. We have a ton more lots, so let\u2019s do more things and do more great situations like this, and we\u2019re always willing to partner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ellen Watkins was presented with 2026 Herm Shiplett Volunteer Award.<\/p>\n
Watkins, who recently retired from the Habitat board after more than 20 years of service, was recognized for her work as treasurer and her dedication to partner families.<\/p>\n
The fourth and final honor, the 2026 Golden Hammer Award, went to Perfect Storm Renovations\u2019 Jerome Sulkoski, for company\u2019s huge contribution to the project.<\/p>\n
The company donated and installed the kitchen and also donated all of the flooring in the home.<\/p>\n
Sulkoski said when he learned Habitat needed assistance, he decided to step forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just jumped in and did what we could,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Finally, Hailey herself took the microphone, visibly emotional as she thanked everyone who had helped make her dream of homeownership possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a dream come true,\u201d she said. \u201cI always wanted to have a home for my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
She thanked Habitat, the volunteers, donors and everyone who supported her family throughout the process.<\/p>\n
It was, as Mulhern reminded Hailey, the house was no longer simply a construction project it was her home.<\/p>\n
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