Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat’s Hearts & Hammers Gala a Rousing Success

Greater Middlesex &Morris Habitat for Humanity (GMM Habitat), the region’s leader in building and advocating for affordable homeownership, raised critical funding at its 21st annual Hearts & Hammers Gala on February 26. Funds raised will help build 27 new homes and provide 130 additional families with critical repairs and Aging-in-Place improvements this year in Morris and Middlesex Counties and the Greater Plainfield area.

“We are so grateful to the 40 corporate sponsors and more than 250 guests who supported our largest fundraiser of the year,” said GMM Habitat CEO, Liz DeCoursey. “The overwhelming support underscores the need to provide affordable housing for hardworking families in the communities we serve.”

James Nigro, GMM Habitat Board Member and Executive Vice President & Chief Credit Officer of Provident Bank added: “Provident Bank has long believed that stable housing is the foundation of strong families and vibrant communities. Our partnership with Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity reflects that belief, whether through the many volunteer hours our employees contribute on Habitat Home Build projects or through our ongoing financial support of initiatives like the Habitat’s annual Hearts & Hammers Gala, which helps fund critical programs that expand access to safe and affordable housing.”

The evening’s spotlight was on the Hearts & Hammers Gala Honorees. Gala honorees for 2026 included: Tom Miskewitz, CEO Champion Container Corporation, with the Professional Partner Award; Mary Lou Panzano, Founder & CEO of Panzano Enterprises, with the Donald H. Kuhn Inspiration Award; and Peoples Security Bank & Trust with the Community Champion Award.

Hearts & Hammers 2026 corporate sponsors included: Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust, Provident Bank, Panzano Bujalski Family, Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Valley Bank, Bayer, Crum & Forster, The Messina Family, PNC, Chase, Commerce Park Investors, Infineum, Langan, Jim & Vivienne Nigro, North Central Jersey Association of Realtors (NCJAR), PBF Energy, Adoni, Celebrity Motor Car Company, Legrand, New Jersey Natural Gas, Sphere Construction Group, Travelers,Vanguard Energy Partners, Whiting-Turner and Withum. Helping to raise awareness for the gala and GMM Habitat’s mission were media sponsors WSUS Radio and WNNJ Radio.

About Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity

Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity (GMM Habitat) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization, Habitat for Humanity International, committed to building homes, communities, and hope. The organization, which is one of the leading builders of affordable housing in New Jersey, serves 68 municipalities in Morris and Middlesex Counties and the greater Plainfield area. Through volunteer labor and monetary donations and materials, GMM Habitat builds affordable new homes and provides home repair services to income-eligible families and individuals. Now in its 41st year, GMM Habitat has served 1,331 families through building more than 214 local homes, preserving more than 687 homes for low-income homeowners and seniors, and helping 430 families with housing solutions worldwide. The local affiliate organization has engaged more than 150,000 volunteers in its various programs. GMM Habitat also operates a successful ReStore, a retail home improvement and furnishings outlet in Randolph, which has kept 23,805 tons of reusable materials out of landfills and funded 45 homes since 2007. For more information, visit gmmhabitat.org or call 973-891-1934.

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