Westy Self Storage of Hackensack, N.J., hosted a breakfast on Dec. 6 for “Making-It-Home,” a nonprofit that delivers donated home furnishings to low-income and formerly homeless people, veterans, and people with disabilities who are transitioning from emergency shelters to new housing. Titled “Moving Moments,” the event at 65 Commerce Way celebrated those who’ve contributed to the charity, according to the source. More than 100 people attended, including Making-it-Home staff, donors, recipients and sponsors. A room arrangement of donated furniture was on display at the storage property, and Westy provided free space to store contributions.

During the breakfast, Mayor John Labrosse presented an award to Westy for its support. “We are grateful for what Making-it-Home and Westy does to help our community. I am proud to say that such generosity has made Hackensack the first town in Bergen County to have no homeless veterans,” he said.

The award was accepted by Tim Mincin, district director for the Westy Hackensack facility. “It is our pleasure to lend a helping hand to Making-It-Home. We put forth great effort and take pride when supporting local organizations that make such a positive impact on so many lives,” he said.

Awards were also given to volunteers Cynthia Myer, president of Ridgewood Moving Services and the New Jersey Warehousemen and Movers Association, and Julia Orlando, director of the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center.

Making-It-Home accepts donations of new and gently used furniture from cleaning companies, furniture stores, individuals and interior decorators. It works with moving companies, professional organizers and realtors that receive unwanted furniture during a move as well as other marketing channels that provide referrals. This year, it became an official program of the Bergen Volunteer Center and established a collaboration with the Bergen County Housing Authority.

The program “ensures that those who are ready to make a fresh start are able to move into their new apartments knowing they will have basic furniture on which to sleep, sit and eat,” said founder Cynthia Massarsky. “This essential ingredient helps complete the picture and ‘make their house a home.’ It provides a safe, healthy and comfortable home environment that encourages people to secure and hold down a job, motivates their children to achieve in school and helps individuals and families to thrive.”

Making-it Home is staffed by volunteers. Additional organization sponsors include families, Bruce The Bed King, Hackensack Main Street Business Alliance, Junkluggers of North Jersey, Valley National Bankcorp, Veterans Services of Bergen County and New Jersey Senator Loretta Weinberg.

Founded in 1990, Westy Self Storage is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. It operates four facilities in Connecticut, four in New Jersey and seven in New York.

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