Foundation Partners present a check to Habitat For Humanity
*Photo submitted

News Release
LONG BRANCH, NJ (February 4, 2014) – Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County announced receiving the generous donation of $5,000 from Merrill Lynch Red Bank Complex, Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life. The employees at these entities came together to help colleagues in the community who were in need of housing assistance from damages incurred during Superstorm Sandy.

“Due to the generosity of our colleagues within our complex as well as our colleagues throughout the Mid-Atlantic market, we were able to accomplish our goal of helping our own employees while still maintaining excess reserve funds,” said Graeme Preston Foundation for Life Director Patrick R. Preston. “Our committee decided it would be appropriate to distribute those funds to worthy organizations who were making a meaningful impact by helping families in our community recover from the devastating effects of the storm.”

The foundation partners presented its check to Habitat at the newly built home of a family in Keansburg. That family is now able to move back home this week. Pictured in the below photo from left to right are: Ron Speirs, First Vice President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; Jim Doran, Habitat Volunteer Crew Lead; Peter Ardolino, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch Red Bank Complex; Nancy Doran, Board President; Patrick Preston, Resident Director, Merrill Lynch Free- hold and Director of Graeme Preston Foundation for Life.

“Habitat for Humanity was an obvious choice for our support because of all the great work they have done and continue to accomplish in helping families get their life back together in a positive, caring, and compassionate manner,” Preston said. “We are proud to partner with such a great organization and look forward to working together on future projects.”

“Such empathy has been shown by these individuals in giving back to their immediate colleagues and to their colleagues in the greater community,” said Director of Operations Ray Gabler at Habitat in Monmouth. “Everyday here at Habitat we are constantly moved by heartfelt actions such as this, which exemplify the kindness of people to selflessly help others in need.”

Just this past fall, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn helped bring national attention to the fact there was still a dire necessity for assistance in the Monmouth County area in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The President and his wife built homes with members of the community as part of their Annual Carter Work Project.