Schenectady's Habitat for Humanity gets $26K grant

PHOTOGRAPHER: Patrick Dodson

Maricely Torres holds the keys to their new Habitat for Humanity home on Van Vranken Avenue in Schenectady on Nov. 22, 2014 while touching the wall and reciting a home blessing.

Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady was awarded a $26,000 grant from the William Gundry Broughton Charitable Private Foundation, Habitat announced on Wednesday.

The funds will be used to purchase a new cargo van to support Habitat’s construction projects and the Habitat ReStore, Habitat said in a news release.

“This generous grant from the Broughton Foundation will help Schenectady Habitat more effectively achieve our goal of helping people throughout the entire county of Schenectady,” said Madelyn Thorne, Schenectady Habitat’s executive director.

The van will be used to transport construction equipment and supplies to and from build sites, move furniture and other large items for the Habitat ReStore on Broadway and used for community outreach events.

Schenectady Habitat also announced on Wednesday that it is partnering with Pine Ridge Industries for a bottle drive this month.

The bottle drive will be on Jan. 7 and 8 as well as on Jan. 14 and 15. The Pine Ridge Bottle Bus will be parked at the Habitat ReStore at 115 N. Broadway on those days.

The bus will be available to accept returnable bottles and cans. All donations will support Habitat’s construction projects, neighborhood revitalization initiatives and the ReStore.

“It is wonderful when two community organizations can unite over shared interest and the common goal of supporting Schenectady,” Thorne said.

The Habitat ReStore is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Schenectady Habitat has built or repaired 47 homes in Schenectady County. There are currently two build projects underway on Carrie Street and a rehabilitation of a home on Robinson Street in the city of Schenectady.