SLR-Photo

I was fortunate to photograph an event last Friday where Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity dedicated a 9 home site in Bridgewater.  The event drew many from the community as well as Corporate and individual sponsors for this Dutch Lane development.

An exciting part of the event was when they raised the wall of one of the houses - it truly symbolized the emormous effort that goes into this community build.

The image below shows Director, Pam Ely with 2 familiar faces - Governor Thomas Kean and Governor Christine Todd Whitman who are both Honorary Co-chairs of this More Homes, More Hope Campaign.

It was also great to see the faces of many of the families who have worked so hard on their house as well as other homes.  Below are the two Governors with one of the Dutch Lane families.

I loved this last image - even the rain didn’t stop the event from going forward!

For more information about Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity or how to contribute to the More Home, More Hope Campaign, please visit www.rvhabitat.org

This image was captured from a segment of the Today show with Hoda and Kathie Lee.  The story was about Lisa VanDerMeiren, the bride who had her bachelorette party at a Habitat for Humanity worksite in Somerset in May.  Her group raised over $5000.00 towards the Women Build division by getting donations and volunteering their time for a day.  The photograph was published in the Star Ledger and is expected to appear in New Jersey Bride magazine.

It’s not easy to see, but exciting to see on TV!

Lisa VanDerMeiren, a bride-to-be this summer, planned a special day for her bridal party, some family and close friends.  Instead of the traditional Bachelorette party, Lisa planned a special “Women Build” day where they got busy building a house currently under construction in Somerset, NJ for Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.

What a way to give back!  Lisa’s friends and family totaled 20 in all - and all hands on deck.  Clad in special custom made t-shirts, the party built scaffolding, mixed cement and helped frame the house.  Their day included a fabulous lunch provided by Habitat volunteers.

Here the bridal party warmed up for Lisa’s wedding day using hammers instead of flowers.

Lisa beamed at her friends and they talked about what a great opportunity it was for them to all get to know each other.  What an extraordinary thing for Lisa to organize!

We wish Lisa and Rob much happiness and blessings for their new life together.  Watch for Lisa’s story in the Spring edition of New Jersey Bride magazine.  For information on how to donate to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, go to www.rvhabitat.org.

On March 15, 2009, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity was the charity of choice for the annual NJ Devils’ Alumni Charity Hockey Classic.  The Devils alumni team took on the Bombers.  Among the former Devils taking part were Bruce Driver and Chico Resch.

One of the exciting parts of the day was the arrival of the Stanley Cup shown in the photo above.  I had the awesome job of photographing fans and family with the cup.  Almost 200 people lined up for this rare and exciting opportunity.  For hockey fans, superstitions ran the gamut - some will NOT touch the cup, while others throw there arms around and give it a big hug.

Conor did a great job helping me pose people and even held a baby and hid behind the cup so only his hands were showing around the baby!  Below he is shown with Phil - the official Cup Keeper who is famous himself! (notice gloves!)

Lastly here is me in my goofy hat (it was really cold in the arena all day!).  I wasn’t sure what camp to follow, so I didn’t touch or hug!  Go Devils!

For information how to donate to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, please visit www.rvhabitat.org.

Last week, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity held their Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Awards.  I was honored to receive a Professional Services Award for my photography services.  I have been fortunate to attend and photograph many events and on-site work days - capturing images for their newsletters and other publications.  It has been a great experience for a worthy cause!

I was fortunate to once again be part of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity on Saturday for the Site Dedication Ceremony for 4 new homes in Somerset, NJ.  After photographing the ceremony, I snapped this shot of a special group within Habitat called “Women Build”.  Women from all walks of life dedicate their time to build - hammers in hand!  It is a beautiful site!  For more information on Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity or to make a donation, visit rvhabitat.org.

I was happy to volunteer to take photographs Wednesday night for the dedication of 3 homes for Habitat for Humanity.  The homes are located in Franklin Township right off Easton Avenue.

It is a touching ceremony where the new home owner spoke about their dream coming true, a petition prayer was read in front of each home where the crowd responded “We dedicate this house, O God”.

The keys were officially handed over, the bright red ribbon was cut by the family and the doors were opened for everyone to take a look. The Perez Family is shown above cutting their ribbon and below standing in their new kitchen.

The next house was dedicated to Dawn Onque and her daughter Sanai.  They are shown here with many family members that came out for the joyous ceremony.

The last house was dedicated to the Solanki family.  After their dedication, gifts were presented to each family - a bible, a good luck basket and a home maintenance manual. 

It was an exciting day for these families and a great accomplishment for Raritian Valley Habitat.  Habitat announced that they will begin building 4 more houses in Franklin Township as well as 10 more in Bridgewater in the coming months.  For more information about Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity or to make a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org

PS - Thanks Conor for your help….he looks like a natural, doesn’t he???