Habitat for Humanity Dedicates Home for Veteran, Son in East Hampton

Habitat for Humanity of Long Island dedicated a new home in East Hampton on Monday for a local veteran and his son.

The two-story, four-bedroom house with a garage on Thomas Avenue is the culmination of Habitat Long Island’s 2022 Veteran Blitz Build, a program co-sponsored by PSEG Long Island and build partner Ben Krupinski Builder with support from H.B. Millwork, Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning, Palermo Paving, Quackenbush Cesspools, Window World and other subcontractors.

The recipients, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Matt Charron and his son, Jackson, currently live in a basement apartment.

“Partnering with Habitat Long Island will enable us to stay in the same community and put down roots,” said Matt Charron, who works for The East Hampton Star and LTV East Hampton, in a statement. “Being a single parent, stability for my son has been my number one priority. I view owning a home as the ultimate milestone in reaching stability. The word family resonates with me. Family helps and supports each other. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Habitat family.”

To qualify, the father and son must complete 300 hours of “sweat equity” by helping to build their home and Habitat houses for others. They must also go through financial preparation classes and sign a 30-year mortgage with 2 percent interest, with Habitat for Humanity of Long Island holding a second mortgage.

“Veterans — who defend our country each and every day — deserve all the support our community can give,” said Habitat for Humanity of Long Island CEO and Executive Director Lee Silberman. “The Veterans Blitz Build program — which lets us build unique partnerships with builders, sponsors, and volunteer groups — accelerates completion of new-build projects like this one. This dedication celebrates the completion of our 236th home on Long Island, and we hope to build another home for a veteran in the future.”

Ben Krupinski Builder principals Ray Harden and Stratton Schellinger donated their company’s time and expertise to oversee the home’s construction.

“Building this house means Matt can continue to afford to live and work in the Town of East Hampton, where he grew up and to see his son grow up here, too,” Harden said. “We are proud to partake in such an important local project and for such an upstanding member of our community. We appreciate the hard work of all who worked with us and alongside the Habitat team to make this happen.”

Lou Debrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of customer services, said: “We have been proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Long Island for many years, helping to build houses so Long Islanders can continue to flourish in the communities they call home. We are honored to join them again, working to build a home for Matt and his family, being able to give back to a veteran that has himself given so much.”

Aaron Levy, the chief business development officer of Window World of Long Island, said: “We’re proud to work with such amazing vendor partners, who, even with industrywide material shortages, went above and beyond by rushing the products for this meaningful build. We’re so excited to get this veteran into a beautiful new home and the positive impact we hope it will make.”