JCP&L employees recently volunteered with Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity to help build a two-family home in Fair Haven, New Jersey. The effort brought together staff from various departments who spent the day measuring, cutting, and installing drywall in bedrooms and bathrooms of the new residence.
“This home will serve two low-to-moderate income families, just like every Habitat for Humanity project,” said Meredith Darche, Executive Director of Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity. “We’re working across the county to turn the dream of homeownership into a reality.”
The house includes a main-level unit for the primary homeowner and an upper-level rental unit. Volunteers took on tasks ranging from drywall installation to managing scrap lumber.
“I’ve never done this before, but there are people here to guide us,” said Samantha Gartner, a JCP&L Customer Services Representative in the Billing department. “It’s a great skill to learn, and I don’t mind getting my hands dirty.”
Bryan Wood, a JCP&L Layout Technician, also participated by handling scrap lumber and using his Volunteer Time Off (VTO) hours for the first time—a FirstEnergy program that gives each employee 16 paid hours annually to volunteer with nonprofit organizations.
“I love that JCP&L gives us the opportunity to give back during the workweek when volunteers are needed most,” he said. “I’ve done this kind of work before, so it’s rewarding to put those skills to good use.”
“It means a lot that the company encourages us to get out and support the communities we serve,” Wood added.
JCP&L and its parent company FirstEnergy have supported Habitat for Humanity projects in New Jersey over several years. In 2023, JCP&L employees contributed labor at another build in Manchester, Ocean County. Since 2021, FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $71,000 to Habitat chapters statewide. Over the past 12 years, Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity has received $8,500 in donations from the company.
More information about community initiatives is available at https://www.firstenergycorp.com/community.
