Habitat for Humanity starts fund-raising for local project
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

SUBMITTED (front, l to r) Danielle Moskowitz, Wendy Cohen, Scott Golder, (back, l to r) Megan Foley, Rev. Stephen Schick, Marge Thomas, Dr. Ron Cousineau, George Luto, Bonnie DeRusha, Cindy Cormier and Mike Berry attend the Oct. 25 unveiling of the Habitat for Humanity thermometer at the Unitarian Church in Hudson.

Marlborough/Hudson - Four churches and synagogues in Marlborough and Hudson joined together Oct. 25 to launch a campaign to raise money for a local Habitat for Humanity project. Several community members and volunteers joined in prayer before unveiling the new Habitat for Humanity sign on the front lawn of the Unitarian Church on Main Street in Hudson.

The local volunteers are currently hoping for a land donation and to raise $120,000 to build an aff ordable house in Hudson. The organization has currently raised $15,000, of which $8,500 was donated by the parishioners at the Unitarian Church. Rev. Stephen Schick, the new minister at the Unitarian Church, would like to see another Habitat for Humanity house in the area.

"There is just not enough aff ordable housing," Schick said.

Habitat for Humanity volunteer Cindy Cormier said that the group needs additional volunteers.

"There is nearly a year of planning and fund-raising that we need volunteers for before the building even begins," Cormier said.

The organization is currently looking for a buildable lot donation to begin the site planning.

According to volunteer Danielle Moskowitz, even though Hudson has met the state-mandated goal of having 10 percent afford- able housing in town, it's not enough.

"There is a need for more aff ordable housing … but the town will not be building anymore," she said.

"I am very excited. This is a wonderful opportunity to witness the power of a community coming together," Schick said. "This is an act of faith."