“Habitat Saved My Life”: Bridgewater Resident Receives Vital Home Repair Assistance


Bedminster, NJ (Oct. 4, 2022) Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (Raritan Valley Habitat) is proud to help Emma and Herbert Hessenthaler of Bridgewater, NJ rehabilitate their home.
The Hessenthalers have lived in their Bridgewater home for the past 42 years. Herbert, who has advanced Parkinson’s and A-fib, has been disabled for nearly sixteen years. This has kept him from being able to do any work around the house or even cut the grass. He is currently in hospital, where Emma has been going back and forth daily to help care for him.
Thanks to the assistance of volunteer groups from Verizon Wireless and Avison Young, Raritan Valley Habitat has been able to clean up the couple’s yard, perform minor carpentry repairs, replace the Hessenthalers’ mailbox and paint the home’s exterior.
“There are no words for your generosity,” says Emma Hessenthaler. “I didn’t expect such professional care, but God threw you people in our yard. You saved my life.”
As she travels between the hospital and home, Raritan Valley Habitat wants to ensure that Emma comes home to a safe and maintained home. The volunteers’ dedication has often caused Emma to cry tears of joy, and her gratitude has been reciprocated throughout the organization.
“Emma and Herbert have both been so appreciative of all the work our volunteers have done,” says Raritan Valley Habitat Construction Supervisor Larry Cascio. “Emma is brought to tears every time a group comes out, and that gratitude is something we want to show her as well. It has been an honor to help restore their home.”
Raritan Valley Habitat’s Home Safety and Repair program includes Brush with Kindness (small exterior clean-up and maintenance), Small Repairs (like installing sheetrock, flooring, cabinets, or window panes), and Critical Home Repairs (larger repairs like roof or furnace replacement). Homeowners in need of repairs should contact Jessica Abbott at 908-704-0016, ext. 117, or visit rvhabitat.org/home-safety-repair for information and application details.
About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (Raritan Valley Habitat) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, Raritan Valley Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership opportunities.
Raritan Valley Habitat is currently building a duplex in Raritan Township for two new homeowner families, working toward building a Veteran home in Somerville and growing our Repair Program. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330, Pluckemin, NJ 07978. For individuals and groups who would like to volunteer, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer. To shop, donate, or volunteer at our ReStore, visit rvhabitatrestore.org.