(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.

(Pittston, Pa.) Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity recently presented the 2021 Gottfried Csala Award to attorney Eric Mahler at a home dedication in Pittston. The Gottfried Csala award is an honor given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution of professional expertise and knowledge to further the mission of Habitat over the past year.

Karen Evans Kaufer, Executive Director of WVHFH, said, “The Gottfried Csala Volunteer Award is presented to an individual who contributes time and professional abilities towards helping the organization’s mission. “Eric’s kind support and generosity towards our organization is truly appreciated.”

From left,  Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director of WVHFH; Eric Mahler, managing partner, Mahler Law Firm.

(Pittston, Pa.)Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity recently presented the 2021 Golden Hammer award to Joe and Sharon Cosgrove and George and Lynn Cosgrove at a home dedication in Pittston. The Golden Hammer Award honors those who have shown exceptional commitment to help further the mission of Habitat. Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity honored the families with this award for the donation of their family home. Over the past year, Habitat volunteers worked to restore the home for a local, low-income family to purchase on terms they can afford.

The family homestead has been in the Cosgrove family since the mid-1800’s and is rich in family history. The former Luzerne County judge said in a prepared release, “The home was always a place where people felt welcome. It has a history of our ancestors taking in people and giving them a place of comfort, a place to share, a place to visit anytime they wished, even a place to live if they were in need.” Cosgrove added, “Our mom and dad instilled in us the duty to give back as repayment for all that has been given to us. The donation to Habitat was the best way we could honor their legacy and the history of this home. We hope the next occupants will be able to create a history just as rich, warm and welcoming as we have enjoyed.”

Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director of WVHFH said, “Their generosity will allow a local, low-income family to become first time homeowners and help Habitat revitalize local communities.”

From left, are Jill Pentangelo, Sharon Cosgrove, Joe Cosgrove, and Karen Evans Kaufer, executive director of WVHFH.

(Pittston, Pa.) Wells Fargo recently presented Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity with a $35,000 grant award! The charitable contribution will help fund Habitat’s Pittston home build that will house a local, low-income family and help them achieve the dream of first time homeownership. Through donations and volunteer labor, Habitat is able to build then sell homes to partner families on terms they can afford. Thank you, Wells Fargo, for your continued support of Habitat! #wellsfargobuilds

(Lehman, PA)-Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce the 12th Annual Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride. Spencer Martin was a long-time devoted volunteer whose work still inspires us today. On Sunday, September 12th, cyclists will wind their way through the scenic back mountain for a spectacular 35- mile ride.

Registration is now available on-line at https://www.bikereg.com/bike21-spencer-martin-memorial-bike-ride-for-habitat

Please call 570-820-8002 for additional information or visit www.bikeforhabitat.org

(Pittston Twp., PA)-Joe and Sharon Cosgrove along with Joe’s brother, George, and George’s wife, Lynn, recently donated their childhood home to Habitat.

On Saturday, Joe and Sharon toured the home that has been being restored since August to see the progress. Joe recalled, “The home was always a place where people felt welcome. It has a history of our ancestors taking in people and giving them a place of comfort, a place to share, a place to visit anytime they wished, even a place to live if they were in need.” Cosgrove added, “Our mom and dad instilled in us the duty to give back as repayment for all that has been given to us. The donation to Habitat was the best way we could honor their legacy and the history of this home. We hope the next occupants will be able to create a history just as rich, warm and welcoming as we have enjoyed.”