On June 8, Habitat for Humanity of Westchester honored local volunteers and public officials at its American Dream Luncheon held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains.
Among those in attendance were County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein, a Republican, and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat.
Review Publisher Howard Sturman, who shared a close friendship with Andrew O’Rourke, the late former Republican county executive, received an award named after the political heavyweight. Upon receiving the award, Sturman spoke of his memories of O’Rourke, a founding member of the Westchester Habitat chapter, who also provided the organization with its first piece of land in Larchmont nearly 30 years ago.
Habitat of Westchester is currently based in New Rochelle and has worked on more than 2,000 new homes and rehabilitation projects, including Hurricane Sandy and flood homes, with the help of more than 15,000 volunteers last year.
According to Jim Killoran, Habitat of Westchester’s CEO, the nonprofit organization’s most recent initiatives are targeted toward the millennial population who can no longer afford to live in Westchester due to rising costs, as well as local veterans who settle in the area.
“This luncheon, now more than ever, is a clarion call that we are in an affordable homeowner crisis,” Killoran told the Review. “Every town and city should have affordable home ownership with the help of Habitat in the upcoming years.”
As the organization approaches its 30th anniversary in 2019, Killoran is actively seeking volunteers to help build and rebuild Westchester neighborhoods.
“We believe the economic success of Westchester is contingent upon people’s ability to live here,” Killoran said. “To that end, we want everyone to pick up a hammer.”
