Sandy-Impacted Resident Moves Into Home the Carters Helped Build

It has been more than six months since former President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn and hundreds of Habitat volunteers began construction on Elmer Lamberson’s Union Beach home. Lamberson lost his original home when it was destroyed at the hands of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. On May 2, Lamberson’s family, the local Habitat volunteers and staff that worked to get him back into his home will celebrate with a dedication ceremony at his newly finished home on Prospect Avenue.

Last October, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, visited Union Beach as part of the 30th Carter Work Project. The town, which suffered greatly at the hands of Sandy, has struggled to rebuild after the storm even 18 months later. This house dedication ceremony marks the end of months of struggle for the Vietnam Veteran and retired mechanic. He has lived in temporary housing in Fort Monmouth in Tinton Falls for over a year and during the construction of the new home.  While he is grateful to finally settle back into the town he has lived for over 40 years with his two dogs, he recognizes the town has a long road ahead.  “It’s not over yet, when I can look at my neighbors from the porch and say ‘Hi’ then I know everything will be right.”

 “We are happy to get Elmer back home, but we know our work is far from over, people are still struggling to get back on their feet and we are here to help them,” noted Nancy Doran, board president for Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County. “We have been fortunate to help over 90 families in our community affected by Sandy, but there are still so many more that need assistance” she adds.