Media Alert: Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s & Carter’s Kids To Complete Renovation Effort in Moonachie Neighborhood for Kickoff to Rebuild, Super Bowl XLVIII- Sanctioned Event on January 31st

WHAT: Rebuilding Together is teaming up with Lowe’s to revitalize a Moonachie, N.J. neighborhood as part of Kickoff to Rebuild, a Super Bowl XLVIII-sanctioned event.

More than 150 volunteers from Rebuilding Together Bergen County, Lowe’s and other community partners will complete critical home repairs for 13 local low-income homeowners as part of Super Bowl weekend.

The repairs will improve the safety and health of homes for local residents, including seniors and families who have lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years and were devastated by flooding from Superstorm Sandy. Many of the homes will receive major electrical and plumbing repairs, new sheetrock and flooring.   

Volunteers also will revitalize two community spaces as part of continued rebuilding efforts in the Moonachie community. The finishing touches will be put on the new playground at St. Joseph’s Park by Carter Oosterhouse, founder of the Carter’s Kids Foundation. Construction on the playground began in October.

The American Red Cross provided $2.25 million in Sandy recovery grant funding to Rebuilding Together to support critical repairs on these and other homes affected by the storm throughout New Jersey and New York.

Other supporters include CBRE, Bergen County VOAD, BNY Mellon, FedEx, Gorilla Glue, Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, Inserra Supermarkets, Inc., and Wallace Genetic Foundation.  In-kind supporters include GAF, Roof4Roof, J. Canabe’s Painting and Bob’s Discount Furniture.

WHERE: Media Check-In is located at Moonachie Civic Center at 125 Moonachie Road, Moonachie (near homes and rebuild projects)

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 31 nearly 150 volunteers will be working from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

SPECIFIC MOMENTS OF NOTE: Friday, Jan. 31

• 8:40 a.m. Kickoff To Rebuild Project Welcome (due to weather this is located at St Margaret of Cortona Parish, 31 Chamberlain Ave., Little Ferry N.J. 07643)
   
• 9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. - Media tours available throughout the day
   
• 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Community Resource Fair
   
• 10:30 a.m. Finishing touches to playground with Carter Oosterhouse
   
• 11 a.m.  Tour of furnished home with family and Bob’s Discount Furniture
   
• 1 p.m. - Community Celebration and Lunch (due to weather this is located at St. Margaret of Cortona Parish, 31 Chamberlain Ave., Little Ferry, N.J. 07643)

WHO/INTERVIEW OP:  CALL CONTACTS BELOW FOR DETAILS ON SPECIFIC TIMES FOR EACH GUEST

• Members of NFL – (tbd)
   
• Charley Shimanski, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together
   
• Lowe’s Market Director Steve Rinker and Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers
   
• Mathieu Nelessen, Regional CEO, American Red Cross North Jersey Region
   
• Carter Oosterhouse, Founder of Carter’s Kids Foundation
   
• Gretchen Viggiano, Executive Director, RT Bergen County
   
• Miss New Jersey USA 2014, Emily Shah
   
• Stefani Vara, recording artist
   
• Cathy Poulin, Public Relations Director, Bob’s Discount Furniture
   
• Neighborhood homeowners

Media Contacts:

Janice Walker
Rebuilding Together
202.518.3504
jwalker@rebuildingtogether.org

Natalie Turner
Lowe’s
704.758.5966
Natalie.h.turner@lowes.com

Lynn Buckingham
Rebuilding Together Bergen County
201.692.8282
lynn@rebuildingtogetherbergen.org

Heather Shelstad
Rebuilding Together Bergen County Project Committee
201.961.5892