Morris Habitat Collaborating with Local Business

Morris Habitat for Humanity has a lot of projects planned this holiday season, including a collaboration with Morristown's own Zebu Forno.

See the below press release for more information:

Morris Habitat for Humanity has a great group of kids!

They are local students and they are members of the Morris Chapter of Youth United. One of the ways these young people support the goals of Morris Habitat, to provide decent and affordable housing, is by helping to raise money for building new homes. One way of raising funds, and just as importantly encouraging overall community visibility and involvement, is by working with local businesses when they choose their meeting sites.

The Youth United group has now started meeting at on South Street in Morristown. For two months now the restaurant has agreed to support Youth United by donating 20 percent of the evenings’ proceeds to Morris Habitat. Owner William Oliver is just the most recent in several different owners/managers that have made similar arrangements with the group.

“We want to keep being creative in the ways we look for fund raising opportunities and working with the restaurants has worked well,” said Joanna Felsenstein from Morristown, who has served as Chair for the group this year. “We meet on the first Thursday evening of the month and always welcome new members.”

During December they have something new planned, a Coffee House event. On Saturday, Dec. 17, the St. Jude/St. Elizabeth Youth Ministry is holding a Benefit Coffee House from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Jude Parish Center, 17 Mount Olive Road, Budd Lake. This will be a wonderful way to help make a difference while having an awesome time listening to some great performers. Hot and cold beverages, baked goods, and savory snacks will be served and the cost of admission to the coffee house is only $5. All proceeds will benefit homes built by Morris Habitat for Humanity with the support of Youth United.

From 2009 through 2010 the Youth United group raised $35,000 for a half House Sponsorship of the in Morristown. The liaison between the Youth United group and Morris Habitat is Ellen Eppie, who helps guide the students in their fundraising efforts.

Ellen, Director Volunteer Services, said that "despite the economy, it is wonderful to see local businesses still stepping up to help local non-profits. Sponsoring a Morris Habitat Night is a win-win situation, allowing the business to reach out to new customers and providing us with much needed funds to buy building materials."

Those interested in joining Youth United or supporting the group’s activities can contact Ellen Eppie at 973-891-1934 or for more information go to the Morris Habitat Website at www.morrishabitat.org.