On July 16, Foley Inc. of Piscataway, N.J., presented the house keys to three deserving families at their new homes on Girard Avenue in Franklin Township.

The three homes, built by Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH), were presented to the Onque, Solanki and Perez families at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked RVHFH’s 28th, 29th and 30th homes.

RVHFH President Dick Bedner began the ceremony by emphasizing that the new Habitat homes involved “much more than wood and nails.” He explained that everyone who participated in the project — from the house sponsors to the volunteers who hung sheetrock and pounded nails — was sharing the gifts of faith and the comfort of hope for the future.

Each family spoke a few words of gratitude just before receiving the keys to their new home. The Perez family stated that they were “living the American dream.” The Onque and Solanki families described the “life-changing” process of building their own homes alongside so many committed volunteers from the Building on Faith Partnership, Habitat Youth, and Women Build groups.

Foley Inc. was the largest corporate sponsor of the project, building the houses as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.

“It’s a way to give back to the community,” explained Jamie Foley, president of Foley Inc.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Kim Foley, chairman and CEO of Foley Inc., highlighted the importance of corporate partnerships with organizations such as Habitat.

“These partnerships help to unite companies and their employees with the communities in which they reside,” said Kim Foley, “to help those in need.”

Two hundred and seven Foley employees volunteered their time, working 7.5 hours each day, 1,552.5 hours in total. In addition to providing funds and workers, the company also donated the use of its rental equipment.

“The Foley team has been a blessing to our organization,” said Pam Ely, executive director of RVHFH. “Their many work days, their gifts of skilled labor and generous funding for our project, and the great gift of the use of their equipment has greatly transformed our construction process. We are very thankful for their partnership.”

The project also was sponsored by more than 60 other supporters, including Somerset County HOME Funds, Building on Faith Church Partnership, Habitat Youth and Franklin Township.

Brian Levine, mayor of Franklin Township, delivered a welcome message to the families.

RVHFH broke ground on the ranch-style homes in September 2007 and completed them in less than a year.

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