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MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. Habitat for Humanity, an organization committed to building homes for needy families, is seeking volunteers from across the tri-state area to help beautify Mount Vernon.
Habitat plans to spruce up the city by painting and planting throughout various neighborhoods, said Jim Killoran, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Westchester County. The group improved a section of Mount Vernon Avenue by 1st Street and South Avenue and plans to take on other sections of the city, Killoran said.
Habitat for Humanity has a Restore at 2 Cortland St. in the south side of the city where it sells items ranging from clothing to cabinets at a steep discount. Killoran called the neighborhood near the Bronx a diamond in the rough that is ripe for cleaning.
This area is a gateway to Mount Vernon, Killoran said. Weve worked with the business community as well as the mayors office to get it up and running. We have thousands of people that come from all over that shop here, so the nicer the neighborhood is the more it will encourage people to come here.
He is looking for volunteers of all ages, saying that Habitat has worked with everyone from high school students to retirees looking to stay involved in the community. The Restore, which volunteers help stock with items, has collected plenty of merchandise. Habitat wants to find warehouse space to store even more donated items, Killoran said.
We want to grow, he said. Id love to get a place on Sandford Boulevard where the buildings are bigger. The Restore is not just a store but a catalyst for an entire neighborhood we are trying to bring attention to."
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